The end result seems to have been the intentional desecration of the corpses of a previous ruling dynasty in a massive, public bonfire, and the (probably intentional) use of the undifferentiated remains — jewellery, precious beads and more — as construction material.
gavindean90 6 days ago [-]
With the other terminal classic period fires maybe we can suggest that there was a change in political power across the Maya world and part of that was burning the old dynasties literally and figuratively as described here.
RobotToaster 5 days ago [-]
Fire burning, as opposed to other kinds of burning?
kevindamm 5 days ago [-]
counterpoint: boiling
edit: also radiation, wind, ...
mistrial9 6 days ago [-]
on page 4, that drawing is not a likeness of the stone carving on the right.
AlotOfReading 6 days ago [-]
That's because it's an illustration of a different altar, #12. The picture is of Altar #13. Both depict the same ruler, which is why they're in the same figure.
ketanmaheshwari 6 days ago [-]
Looking at the map, I vaguely recall it is about the same location where the meteor struck that caused extinction of dinosaurs.
edit: also radiation, wind, ...