Near the observatory of the ancient Mayan city, there is a “Sacred Well” that the local residents consider to be very holy. From 1524 to 1627, the Portuguese Grand Priest, Đitigow, oversaw the Yucatan region. When introducing the history of the area, he stated: “Whenever a great drought occurred, the priests would set up an altar to the gods at this well. During solemn ceremonies to pray for rain and favorable winds, boys and girls were thrown into the well as sacrifices.”
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Yucatan Region |
In 1877, Edward, an American archaeologist, led the excavation of the sacred well. At the mud layer at the bottom of the well, archaeologists discovered not only treasures and artifacts but also the bones of boys and girls. This excavation confirmed Đitigow’s records, but the “Sacred Well” still raises many questions: How did it come to be? Why is it called the “Sacred Well”? Many similar wells exist nearby, so why is this particular one held in such high regard?
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Mayan Woman’s Head Sculpture |
In the dense jungle less than 100 meters from this observatory, there is another well that looks exactly like this one. Externally, it resembles the sacred well; the water depth is the same, shimmering with a brownish-red hue reminiscent of blood. There is no doubt that these two wells are contemporaneous, yet many scholars only refer to the Sacred Well, while the one discovered in the jungle is mentioned very little. Its mystical value was only confirmed when a Pyramid called Sthyllo was constructed directly at the midpoint of the line connecting the two wells, with both wells being exactly 984 feet (or 0.914 meters) from the summit of the observatory.
What significance do these discoveries hold? It is known that these two wells predate the observatory and were used as a basis for calculations and the construction of the observatory.
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Image of the Snake Found in All Ancient Mayan Architecture |
The Pyramid of Sthyllo, like the observatory, is dedicated to representing the sanctity of the divine, similar to the “Daynmao Snake”—an image found in all ancient Mayan architecture. The Mayans had a particular fondness for snakes. From ancient times to the present, snakes have always been creatures that hide and slither on the ground. However, for the Mayans—who had a special affection for snakes—they imagined giving wings to snakes, enabling them to soar through the skies.
In Mayan legend, Khulelkotel is a long-bearded god, clad in a white robe, who came from an eastern land. The god taught the Mayans scientific knowledge and agricultural techniques, setting down very strict laws. Under his guidance, the corn cultivated by the Mayans grew as thick as their calves, and the flowers bloomed in multiple colors. After teaching the Mayans the art of cultivation, the god departed. The Mayans held this divine figure in great esteem, believing he would one day return.
Why are there these wells next to the observatory? What were they used for? The enigmatic mysteries of Mayan culture remain largely misunderstood to this day. According to legend, deities of grand priests, lawyers, judges, and scientists visited the Mayans. The gods carried a pure wish, affirming they would teach the impoverished and uncivilized Mayans the knowledge to create vehicles to escape the burdens of walking and carrying heavy loads. However, archaeologists have yet to uncover any evidence related to this issue.
Palenque lies within a secluded valley in the state of Mexico. For over a century, the locals have shown little interest in the ruined temple of the god. In the 1950s, archaeologists came here to clear the temple and unearthed a heavy stone engraved with intricate patterns.
The carvings on the stone are both extravagant and marvelous, depicting a figure resembling someone driving a car, hands gripping what appears to be a steering wheel, surrounded by various ornamental forms. According to interpretations, this image showcases the incredibly rich imagination of the Mayans.
As time has passed, everything has changed, and we cannot clarify why the Mayan sculptors of that era could create patterns that only now seem to appear. Is it a depiction of an astronaut holding a control stick, eyes fixed straight ahead? This is undoubtedly a creation of the Mayans because the figure of the astronaut is carved to resemble a Mayan. It is also possible that the Mayans believed one day they could soar through the skies. In their sculptures, Mayan artisans wove the exhaust pipes into elaborate designs, clocks, and square shapes, all treated in an exaggerated yet artistic manner. However, it is all very clear: The transport tool has a sharp front and a large rear, with features like antennas, clocks, nozzles, and tubes depicted vividly. Reportedly, the photograph of this work, when sent to an American airline, astonished them, prompting the exclamation: “The Mayans are truly magnificent!”
In ancient times, there were no spacecraft. So, how did the ancient Mayans understand the mysteries of aviation so well? How did they manage to depict an astronaut operating a spacecraft?
