Cenotes in the Ancient Maya World
Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank
What is a cenote?
How did the ancient Maya survive in the arid Yucatán Peninsula? Let's look at the important role of cenotes in Maya civilization. The Yucatán Peninsula is defined by its lack of surface rivers and lakes, yet ancient Maya populations flourished there for thousands of years. This video considers the cultural significance of cenotes, the natural sinkholes that provided a consistent supply of fresh water. The video also looks at the types of objects found in cenotes, such as the Sacred Cenote at Chichén Itzá in Mexico.
Video chapters
0:00 Introduction to cenotes 0:53 Water source in the Yucatán 1:31 Symbolic and ritual significance for the Maya 2:48 Animate or living places
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See more resources about the ancient Maya.
