Watch Maya to Aztec: Ancient Mesoamerica Revealed

Name: Maya to Aztec: Ancient Mesoamerica Revealed
Released: 2015-03-06
Cast: Edwin Barnhart

2015
1 Season

Maya to Aztec: Ancient Mesoamerica Revealed is a fascinating series that explores the rich and complex civilizations of the Maya and Aztec peoples. Presented by Edwin Barnhart, an acclaimed archaeologist and academic, this show is part of The Great Courses Signature Collection and is highly informative and engaging throughout.

Over the course of 24 insightful lectures, viewers are taken on a journey through Ancient Mesoamerica, discovering the achievements and advancements of these remarkable peoples. Beginning with an exploration of the cradle of Mesoamerican civilization and the emergence of the Olmec culture, the series goes on to chart the rise and fall of the Maya empire.

Throughout the series, viewers are introduced to the key figures and events that shaped the Maya civilization, from the creation of their intricate and highly developed writing system to the construction of their awe-inspiring architectural wonders. Barnhart's expertise as an archaeologist shines through as he shares his insights into the social, political, and economic forces that drove the Maya's achievements, and the challenges that ultimately led to their decline.

But the Maya civilization is just the beginning of this compelling narrative. The latter half of the series turns its attention to the Aztec empire, which emerged in the wake of the Maya's decline. Here too, Barnhart brings his considerable expertise to bear, offering unique insights into the Aztec's sophisticated social and administrative structures, their striking artwork, and their complex religious beliefs.

Through careful analysis of archaeological evidence, detailed descriptions of primary sources, and engaging discussions, Maya to Aztec: Ancient Mesoamerica Revealed brings the world of the ancient Maya and Aztecs to life. Barnhart's passion for the subject matter is palpable, and his extensive knowledge and expertise make him the ideal guide for this fascinating journey.

Viewers will come away from the series with a deep appreciation for the ingenuity, creativity, and resilience of these incredible peoples. Indeed, the show is a testament to the power of human innovation, and it serves as a reminder of the enduring value of the ancient cultures and civilizations that have shaped our world. If you're looking for an informative, insightful, and engaging exploration of Mesoamerican history and archaeology, then Maya to Aztec: Ancient Mesoamerica Revealed is must-see viewing.

Maya to Aztec: Ancient Mesoamerica Revealed is a series that ran for 1 seasons (48 episodes) between March 6, 2015 and on The Great Courses Signature Collection

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Seasons

48. Frontiers of Mesoamerican Archeology

March 6, 2015

Explore the current frontiers of Mesoamerican archaeology, looking ahead to the most promising avenues for future research. Many major cities are known but have yet to be excavated, and countless others are waiting to be discovered. Dr. Barnhart closes by discussing the top three projects on his wish list.

47. Maya Survival and Revival

March 6, 2015

Despite centuries of assimilation and persecution, Maya culture still thrives. Investigate its survival in Guatemala, where 80 percent of the population is Maya, living largely in traditional ways. Dr. Barnhart describes his own observations from extensive visits to the country.

46. Echoes of the Past in Mexico

March 6, 2015

Explore the many areas where native culture still survives in modern Mexico. Focus on the Zapotec, Huichol, and Nahua peoples (descendants of the Aztecs). Learn that traditions which have survived for thousands of years are now threatened by technologies such as the internet and cable television.

45. The Caste Wars of Yucatán

March 6, 2015

Trace the resistance of the Maya to foreign domination, culminating in the Caste Wars of Yucatán, which pitted native Maya people against the Mexican army and lasted for over half a century, ending in the early 1900s. Although Mexico prevailed, the resistance continues to this day.

44. The Fall of the Last Maya Kingdom - The Itza

March 6, 2015

Study the fortunes of the last independent Maya kingdom: the Itza. Isolated in the Peten rainforest between two Spanish-dominated areas, the Itza fiercely defended their domain for almost two centuries after the initial Spanish contact. Discover the stratagem that finally vanquished them in 1697.

43. Conquest of the Maya and Landa's Legacy

March 6, 2015

Once the Aztecs were defeated, the Spanish turned their eyes to the rest of Mesoamerica. Follow the decades of military campaigns needed to subdue the Maya. This conquest included the wholesale destruction of Maya books and ritual objects by the Franciscan monk Diego de Landa.

42. The Siege of Tenochtitlan

March 6, 2015

Cortes's defeat of the Aztec empire was one of the greatest military victories in history. Analyze how the enterprising conquistador managed this coup with just a few hundred Spanish troops, aided by native allies and a secret weapon that even he did not know he had: infectious diseases.

41. First Contact with Europe in Mesoamerica

March 6, 2015

Review the events that brought an improbable expedition led by Christopher Columbus to the New World in search of Japan. Trace Columbus's later contact with Mesoamerica, and follow the arrival of Spanish conquistadors, including Vasco Núnez de Balboa and Hernán Cortes.

40. Tulum - Aztecs at the Ancient Maya Port City

March 6, 2015

Archaeologists call the last phase of pre-Columbian culture before the arrival of the Spanish the Late Post-Classic period. Get a snapshot of this waning era by visiting the ruins of Tulum, a Maya seaport that hints at a final Aztec incursion into the region.

39. Illuminating Works of Aztec Art

June 1, 2020

Tour some of the masterpieces of Aztec art, including the Calendar Stone and Stone of Tizoc, which were likely platforms for human sacrifices. Then behold the terrifying Statue of Coatlicue, and pore over the Codex Mendoza, which is a beautifully illustrated history of the Aztec nation.

38. Paquime - Northernmost Mesoamerican City?

March 6, 2015

On the frontier between Mesoamerica and the American Southwest stands a mysterious ruin: Paquime, also called Casas Grandes. Was it connected with the Pueblo culture to the north, or with the Aztecs and Tarascans to the south? Dr. Barnhart offers a fascinating hypothesis.

37. Independent Tarascans - Desert Warriors

March 6, 2015

Second only to the Aztecs in the extent of their realm were the neighboring Tarascans. Compare their empire and culture to Aztec civilization, and sift through conflicting clues that point to the origin of the Tarascans, who considered themselves newcomers to Mesoamerica.

36. How the Aztecs Expanded Their Empire

March 6, 2015

By the time of European contact, the Aztec empire was the most extensive in Mesoamerican history. Study the Aztecs' methodical approach to conquest and the structure of their empire, which was more like Alexander the Great's than imperial Rome's.

35. Life in the Aztec World

March 6, 2015

Drawing on contemporary accounts by Spanish soldiers, priests, and literate Aztecs, enter the daily life of a typical Aztec, discovering the culture's social organization, marriage customs, public festivals, and shockingly commonplace rituals of human sacrifice.

34. The Aztec Capital of Tenochtitlan

March 6, 2015

See the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan through the eyes of a visitor during the height of Aztec power, when the city's quality of life was unrivaled virtually anywhere in the world. Modern Mexico City, which is built atop Tenochtitlan, preserves isolated ruins of this grandeur.

33. Aztec Origins - Arrival and Rise of the Mexica

March 6, 2015

How did a vagabond group of wanderers become the most powerful civilization in North America? Survey the history of the Aztecs, looking behind their idealized self-image to discover their likely beginnings and the secret of their political, economic, and military success.

32. Mesoamerican Religion

March 6, 2015

Delve into Mesoamerican religion, tracing the evolution of gods and religious practices from the Olmecs to the Maya and finally to the Aztecs, who are featured in the next section of the course. Learn the names, roles, and origins of the principal deities.

31. League of Mayapan - Maya New World Order

March 6, 2015

As Chichen Itza declined, a city named Mayapan rose to power. Mayapan deliberately copied Chichen Itza's monumental buildings and experimented with a more representative form of government. Examine the architecture, social structure, and daily life of this new regional capital.

30. Chichen Itza - Maya Capital of the Yucatán

March 6, 2015

Travel to the best known of all ancient Maya cities: Chichen Itza. Focus on its Toltec-Maya phase, from 1000 to 1200 AD, and the city's striking similarities to Tula. What do these connections imply about the history of Chichen Itza? Dr. Barnhart presents an intriguing theory.

29. The Toltecs - Role Models or Myth?

March 6, 2015

The Aztecs claimed that their civilization descended from the mighty Toltecs. But were the Toltecs as magnificent as the Aztecs believed? Join the hunt for this elusive empire, which was headquartered at the modest town of Tula and spread influential ideas such as the legend of Quetzalcoatl.

28. Cacaxtla Murals and Xochicalco

March 6, 2015

View the fantastic murals at Cacaxtla in central Mexico, arguably the finest in Mesoamerica. Then look at the famous Temple of the Feathered Serpent in Xochicalco, which, like the Cacaxtla murals, represents the influence of the vanished Teotihuacan and classic Maya cultures.

27. The Great Pyramid of Cholula and El Tajin

March 6, 2015

More massive than the largest Egyptian pyramid, the Great Pyramid of Cholula was one of the astonishing feats of the Veracruz civilization, which flourished in the modern state of Veracruz during the Terminal Classic period. Focus on two prominent cities of this culture: Cholula and El Tajin.

26. The Mixtec Rise - Gold and Epic Stories

March 6, 2015

Tomb 7 at Monte Alban is a New World version of Tutankhamun's burial chamber, containing an extraordinary number of gold artifacts. Learn about the Mixtec culture that produced these treasures along with many other impressive objects, including illustrated codices of their history and mythology.

25. Monte Alban and Zapotec Rule over Oaxaca

March 6, 2015

Journey to Oaxaca to explore Monte Alban, one of the most beautiful ruins in all of Mesoamerica. Chart the city plan, monuments, and art of this hilltop center of Zapotec civilization, which dominated the Valley of Oaxaca for over a thousand years.

24. New Cities of the Terminal Classic - Uxmal

March 6, 2015

From 800 to 1000 AD, the Maya region went through a transitional phase known as the Terminal Classic. Study the changes that emerged in new Maya cities, which saw innovations in government, religion, art, and architecture. Focus on the remarkable city of Uxmal.

23. Classic Maya Collapse - Cities Abandoned!

March 6, 2015

One of history's unsolved mysteries is why many Maya cities were abandoned in the 9th century AD, bringing an end to the Classic period. Examine theories that trace this collapse to war, drought, environmental damage, or volcanic eruption. Then hear Dr. Barnhart's solution to the puzzle.

22. Enigmatic West Mexico and Shaft Tombs

March 6, 2015

Survey the cultures that flourished in west Mexico at the time of the Maya. Their distinctive shaft tombs, pottery, metalwork, and other artifacts have intriguing links to South America. Also see how today's Voladores "flying" traditional dance originated centuries ago in this region.

21. The Mesoamerican Ball Game

March 6, 2015

Created 3,500 years ago and still played today, the Mesoamerican ball game was the New World's first organized team sport. More than just a game, it reenacted mythology, symbolized war, and pleased the gods. Investigate where it was played, along with its rules and variations.

20. Calakmul - The Mighty Snake Kingdom

March 6, 2015

Maya hieroglyphs tell of a mysterious Snake Kingdom, which long eluded archaeologists. We now know that this powerful city was Calakmul, located in the Peten rainforest of southern Mexico. Learn its long history of warfare with its militant neighbors.

19. Copan - Jungle Dynasty of the East

March 6, 2015

Visit Copan, a beautifully preserved city on the edge of the Maya world. This illustrious site has been continuously excavated since the 19th century, and Dr. Barnhart himself did fieldwork helping to unearth tombs of the city's most notable rulers.

18. Illuminating Works of Maya Art

March 6, 2015

Learn about Maya life through their art, studying such works as the fantastic painted murals at Bonampak and the famous sarcophagus lid on the tomb of Pakal. According to a best-selling book, the latter depicts an ancient astronaut on a rocket ship, but Dr. Barnhart decodes its real meaning.

17. Sacred Geometry in Art and Architecture

March 6, 2015

The Maya had no known unit of linear measure, yet their art and architecture reflect a sophisticated understanding of geometry. Investigate the geometric ratios that the Maya used over and over. Discover how these relate to nature and the practices of other ancient civilizations.

16. Palenque - Jewel in the West

March 6, 2015

Descend down the secret steps of a Maya pyramid to discover the tomb of Pakal the Great, the most renowned ruler of the city of Palenque. Trace the history of Palenque, which during the 7th century AD excelled in architectural sophistication, hieroglyphic inscriptions, and astronomical knowledge.

15. The Dresden Codex

March 6, 2015

Only four ancient Maya books have survived to modern times. Study the most fascinating of these: the Dresden Codex. Focus on its complex calculations of the motions of Venus and the timing of solar eclipses. Also turn to its pages on divination, which defied understanding until Dr. Barnhart contributed a key insight.

14. Maya Astronomy and Building Orientations

March 6, 2015

The Maya were expert sky observers. Discover that many of their buildings are oriented to view the rising and setting of celestial bodies, and still others are designed to interact with sunlight, creating tricks of light and shadows. Consider what these alignments may have signified.

13. Maya Hieroglyphs - Breaking the Code

March 6, 2015

Maya hieroglyphs are a beautiful and elaborate writing system, bearing messages that were almost a complete mystery until recent decades. Dr. Barnhart describes the detective work that went into deciphering the script and his own studies with pioneer code-breaker Linda Schele.

12. Tikal - Aspiring Capital of the Maya World

March 6, 2015

Chart the rise and fall of Tikal, one of the great Maya cities until it was mysteriously abandoned around 900 AD. Overgrown by jungle, it sat forgotten for a thousand years. Hear about Tikal's tumultuous history and its dramatic rediscovery.

11. The World's Most Elaborate Calendar

March 6, 2015

Unlock the secrets of the Maya calendar, which was unlike any other in the world - with nested cycles of time keyed to human, seasonal, and astronomical patterns. Look back to their year zero and the special importance of the number 1,195,640.

10. How the Maya Mastered Mathematics

March 6, 2015

Study the power of Maya mathematics, which was a positional, base-twenty system that lent itself easily to calculation and the expression of very large numbers. Learn about its use of the zero placeholder, and test your skills solving problems the way the Maya did.

9. The Great City of Teotihuacan

March 6, 2015

At its height around 400 AD, Teotihuacan was the most populous city in the western hemisphere. Explore this vibrant metropolis, focusing on its still-extant pyramids of the Sun and Moon and the role they played in the violent ritual life of the Classic Maya period.

8. The Popol Vuh - Creation and Hero Twins

March 6, 2015

In 1701 a Spanish priest fluent in Mayan translated a secret copy of the ancient Maya story of creation, the Popol Vuh. The original has long since disappeared, but the translation survives. Hear this magical story in captivating detail.

7. Preclassic Maya Lowlands - El Mirador

March 6, 2015

Travel to the Peten rainforest in northern Guatemala, where hundreds of Maya settlements lie hidden, including some of the oldest Maya cities ever built. Among the spectacular sites, hear about the discovery and excavation of El Mirador, called the "cradle of Maya civilization."

6. Early Highland Maya - Izapa to Kaminaljuyu

March 6, 2015

Trace the origin of Maya civilization to a dramatic change in the nature of public monuments. Dr. Barnhart takes you to early Maya highland cities such as Izapa, with its amazing religious carvings, and Kaminaljuyu, which heralded the dawn of the Classic Maya period.

5. Mesoamerican Plants, Cuisine, and Medicine

March 6, 2015

Learn about the botany of Mesoamerica and how it benefited not just the people of the region but eventually the entire world. From corn and chocolate to vanilla, chili peppers, rubber trees, and other products, the native vegetation has had a profound impact on global diet and culture.

4. Olmec Contemporaries

March 6, 2015

Investigate other cultures that thrived in Mesoamerica at the time of the Olmecs, such as the Zapotecs in the Valley of Oaxaca. Probe intriguing archeological evidence, including artifacts similar to those from Olmec culture, which raise the question of who influenced whom.

3. Olmec Art as the Mother Culture

March 6, 2015

Delve into Olmec art, searching for clues to who the Olmec were and what preoccupied these builders of Mesoamerica's first great civilization. Explore the mysteries of giant sculpted heads, jaguar carvings, and full-bearded figures depicting men who some think were foreigners from afar.

2. Olmec Civilization Emerges

March 6, 2015

Begin with the Olmecs at the dawn of Mesoamerican civilization. Flourishing from about 1700 BC to 300 BC, the Olmecs represent one of only six cradles of early civilization in world history. Hear how they were discovered, and investigate three sites where they lived.

1. The Maya, Aztecs, and Mesoamerica

March 6, 2015

Survey the geography, cultures, and time span covered in these 48 lectures. Dr. Barnhart discusses the organization of the course and key concepts. Then he takes you on a whirlwind tour of important places, civilizations, and events in Mesoamerica.

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Where to Watch Maya to Aztec: Ancient Mesoamerica Revealed

Maya to Aztec: Ancient Mesoamerica Revealed is available for streaming on the The Great Courses Signature Collection website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Maya to Aztec: Ancient Mesoamerica Revealed on demand at Apple TV Channels, Amazon Prime, Amazon and Hoopla.