Ancient handprint at the ruins of Kabah.
This post will be sticky in the “history” category. To start with, here are some links that might be helpful. For now, many of these utilize the old Buried Mirror html, which is less responsive for mobile than the current look. Some are blog posts that may also appear below. These issues will get addressed.
The image is a photo I took in February 2007 of a red handprint on the interior of the arch at the Maya ruins of Kabah in the Puuc region of the Yucatan. Most Maya structures were brightly painted, and this handprint was left in red paint. The handprint was originally obscured by a stucco surface, which has peeled away. Similar handprints in blue paint can be seen at Uxmal, about 20 kilometers northeast. (See more below.)
Maya History
Maya Timeline
Proto-Mayan and the Origins of the Maya
About Yik’in Chan K’awiil, 27th ruler of Tikal
The Great Collapse: The Decline and Fall of Ancient Maya Civilization
The Cult of the Talking Cross, and the Caste War of the Yucatan
Old School Mayanists:
Sylvanus G. Morley and J. Eric S. Thompson
Recent Discoveries
Ancient Tomb Discovered at Copan (May 17, 2007)
Ancient Offerings found at Nueva de Toluca (May 25, 2007)
Modern History
Popularization