Latest news with #Mayans
Miami Herald
14-07-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
5,500-year-old ‘pyramids' discovered during landscape work — in Central Europe
Constructed pyramids have long been thought of as one of the peaks of human engineering. Despite the structures standing for thousands of years, archaeologists are still working to learn how the ancient Egyptians or Mayans were able to build with such precision and ingenuity. As the mystery continues, a different kind of pyramid has been unearthed for the first time, and not in Egypt or Mexico. In a landscape park in western Poland, remote sensing equipment discovered long, triangular formations below the surface, according to a July 9 Facebook post from the Team of Landscape Parks of the Greater Poland Voivodeship. Archaeologists began work to excavate one of the structures, and found that it was an ancient megalithic tomb, officials told the Polish Press Agency (PAP), through the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The tombs range in length from a few dozen feet to more than 650 feet, officials said, and were formed in an elongated triangle. The 'front' of the triangle is multiple feet wide and about 13 feet tall before narrowing as the triangle tapers into the embankment, according to the PAP. The tombs were called Polish pyramids or the beds of giants, according to the Facebook post, and were created by members of the Funnel Beaker culture in the Stone Age. The structures were dated to 5,500 years ago, officials said. Funnel Beaker communities lived in the temperate regions of Europe and earned their names from bell-shaped beakers commonly decorated with toothed stamps made by the people, according to Britannica. Funnel Beaker groups were typically pretty egalitarian, but the larger, megalithic tombs were created for important members of their community like a leader, a priest or a shaman, specialist Artur Golis told the PAP. Each generation created their own megalith, Golis said, and would typically hold a single burial that would be surrounded by grave goods and sometimes covered in cobblestones. Officials believe the human skeleton inside the tomb likely hasn't survived, but goods like pottery or copper ornaments may still be buried inside, according to the PAP. The remote sensing showed five promising formations underground, but only two have been examined more closely and only one excavated, officials said. This is the second grouping of these kinds of pyramids to be discovered in Poland. The site is located in Wyskoć, in west-central Poland. Chat GPT, an AI chat bot, was used to translate the Facebook post from the Team of Landscape Parks of the Greater Poland Voivodeship. Google Translate was used to translate the news release from the Polish Press Agency.
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
'I visited a magical underwater river and one thing caught me off guard'
Rio Secreto in Cancun was discovered almost two decades ago by complete chance. Now the underground oasis has become a major tourist attraction in the Mexican seaside town Mirror reporter shares glimpse of holiday at AVA Resort in Cancun Tacos, tequila and sombreros are just some of the clichés that come to mind when thinking of the stunning country of Mexico. But what many visitors don't realise is that there's a whole other world lurking beneath the surface—literally. Not only can holidaymakers enjoy cenotes—natural water pools believed by the Mayans to have a connection to the underworld—but they can also explore an entire underwater cave system. Remarkably, Río Secreto in Cancún was only discovered in 2006 by a man who was hunting in the jungle. The story goes that he chased an iguana into a hole, which turned out to be the entrance to a vast underwater oasis. In the years since, the site has been painstakingly mapped, and guides now lead around 100 tourists per day through the cave, which is full of stalactites and stalagmites. Bats also call the cave home, along with some interesting creepy crawlies—which I, for one, tried my best not to look at during a recent trip in June 2025. Head torches are needed to see the wonders of the cave, and at one point in the tour, our guide asked us to turn them off to show just how dark it really is inside. The long, glittering stalactites and stalagmites are otherworldly, leaving you feeling as though you've landed on another planet. Some physical strength is needed to clamber over rocks and swim through parts of the cave, but nothing too strenuous. Participants are offered walking sticks to aid with this before walking through a short stretch of jungle to reach the mouth of the cave. Inside, the cool air is a sharp contrast to the 30°C sun beaming down at the entrance, adding to the surreal experience. Our guide, Imelda, spoke passionately about the site as we ambled along the path. She ensured everyone in our group was happy and engaged throughout. Before we began the tour, Imelda introduced us to a Mayan shaman, who gave us a blessing before we made our way down the steps into another world. We clambered under and over rocks and even got to swim in the cool water. As someone who is claustrophobic, I was never afraid—the tall cave ceilings mean you don't feel cramped or stuck. The experience was magical, but one thing that caught me off guard during the visit was the strict ban on photography. GoPros are not allowed inside the cave, nor is any camera equipment, including phones—some of which tourists had placed in waterproof pouches in preparation. Instead, a photographer accompanies the group, capturing images as you walk and swim through the trail. These are available for purchase at the end of the excursion and can be viewed on a computer screen—akin to the ones you see after a ride at Alton Towers, albeit with slightly fewer screaming faces. However, with a price tag of around $100 (around £72) for a photo package or $30 (around £21) per person, it's a costly addition to the day. And when most of the images are of you carefully stepping over a rock in a lifejacket, helmet and wetsuit, it's not surprising that I walked away with just the memories of such a special place. We then made our way back to AVA Resort Cancún to end the day with a cocktail—or five—for a job well done. Book it Seven nights at the brand new five-star AVA Resort Cancun costs from just £1,651 per person on a premium all-inclusive basis in an Oceanfront King Room with Sea View and Balcony with two-person spa tub. Price is based on two adults sharing on an All-Inclusive Basis and includes direct return flights from London Gatwick to Cancun. Price based on select September 2025 departures. Visit AVA Resort Cancun for rooms. A ticket to Rio Secreto is $89 (around £65) for adults and $44.50 (around £32) for children.
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Eva Malhotra and the irony of a woman's world unfurled on canvas
'Women are invisible to the male gaze, except in the area of lust. All their other accomplishments, talents and capabilities go unnoticed,' says Eva Malhotra. Perhaps an unusual statement from an artist when discussing her exhibition in Bengaluru, but not as strange as her life experiences that mirror the ordeals of women the world over. The seven canvases on display in her series, Call to the Mystic, are an unusual presentation of space, time and the universe, as well as the sacred and scripts, rendered as abstracts. Executed as carved acrylic and copper foil on canvas, each of the pieces evoke a sense of mystery, wonder and curiosity. Early grounding Born to an American father and a mother who was Mexican, Eva spent the first 10 years of her life in Mexico before relocating to Los Angeles. 'We lived quite close to the border in Mexico and we'd cross into the United States to attend school everyday. But even as a child I'd see how differently I was treated in comparison to my cousins because I looked more 'American' than them,' says Eva. Growing up in a huge joint family in Mexico, Eva says her home was brimming with cousins, uncles and aunts, a few of whom were in the same age group. 'The conversations around the dining table revolved around politics and current affairs, and opened my understanding to the world outside.' 'My paternal grandfather was a commercial artist and his paints and works were always around. There was also a piano in the house so we all grew up exposed to art and music as well.' Sadly, a series of tragic events marked Eva's childhood. The death of a baby brother, the long hospitalisation of her mother and sibling, as well as the separation of her parents, not only left a deep impact, but also exposed her to the ugly realities of religious prejudice, disparity, abuse and racism. It is ironic how goddesses are revered but women are disrespected on so many levels. 'I was made aware of the discriminatory treatment that religion brings, even though Jesus Christ and his teachings are inclusive, and all these injustices developed my critical thinking skills at a young age,' she says. School in Mexico inculcated in Eva a pride in ancient Mexican culture and civilisation. 'The world only knows about the Mayans and Aztecs, but the Olmecs, Teotihuacans and Toltecs, were no less in any way. We had a formidable past that colonisers suppressed, and after settling in America, I refused to buy into their discrimination against Hispanics.' Work in progress Eva says her mother was quite keen that she got a good education, and 'always encouraged us to to become professionals' as she knew first hand how important it was. 'My mother would regularly take us to the local library and I was extremely interested in mythology and fairy tales,' she says, adding that it led to a fascination with Spanish literature which she began to study. Eva paired her social awareness and childhood experiences with classes in political science, history and economics, along with art theory, eventually becoming a lawyer. It was while she was studying at Berkeley, that she met Krish Malhotra was doing his LLM (Master of Laws), and they got married. During a visit to the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, a piece of art by a Japanese artist on dark wood, fascinated Eva. 'It was a carving and it captivated me. I felt like the breeze flowing through the grass in that piece and it inspired me to work with wood.' 'I began collecting little items I would find in the street — nails, wires, pieces of glass or stones — and hammer them into wood to create my many-layered compositions.' A series titled Cosmos was well received and as she progressed with her art, she took to using lacquer and creating encaustic works where heat is used throughout the process, to fuse layers of different media onto the canvas. However, her innovative ideas turned out to become a creative channel of all the trauma she had undergone. 'I was working with wood carving tools, experimenting with the medium and technique, making aesthetic choices based on volume, form, line and harmony.' 'But importantly, what I found was that the movement and rhythm, were building emotional strength in me,' says the artist, adding that the act of gouging, nailing and scraping at those pieces were cathartic. 'After a while, I started adding natural dyes such as turmeric and indigo as well as oil colours into the grooves.' 'Sometimes while I would be working it would almost be like uncovering an old scar, and it would bring up painful memories.' 'I remembered the sexual abuse I had suffered as a child and the unjustified feeling of shame, responsibility, guilt and fear it had created in me. Due to the early onset of adolescence, I was preyed on by men and bullied by my peers. The humiliation and isolation found visceral expression in my work. The series was titled Vulnus, which in Latin means wound.' That was Eva's first exhibition and she was in her mid-50s at the time. Even as she found her groove, the NAFTA Treaty (1994) between the United States and Mexico came into effect and Eva says she saw how the economy birthed a floating population of working women. 'It lead to more exploitation as well as human and organ trafficking,' she says. 'It also resulted in a rise in femicides in Mexico. Over the years, I have studied femicides and discovered it happens all over the world. In Mexico, there are stabbings, whereas in the Middle East it's by pelting women. Guns are used in the United states and in India, they are burnt,' says the artist, who has lived in India too. Shape and form Not all of Eva's works are executed on canvas — some have been sculptures and art performances too, such as Requiem For a Woman, while This Silence Is Killing Me, came about when she experimented with oils on silk and the horrific memories of abuse came rushing back with the feel of that fabric. However, she says not all her art stemmed from dark incidents, 'there were moments of glee and wonder too, that found a place in my creations.' She recalls an African objet d'art which was embedded with circular mirrors. 'As I picked it up, I caught my eye in that mirror, it was one of the most electrifying experiences I had. I saw my gaze was totally different from how I see myself. It was quite impactful because we never really see ourselves as we truly are. We see ourselves as others see us.' 'The mirror mosaic singled out certain features as well as attitudes reflected in the way you hold your chin or the way you smile, with just your lips or your eyes, and much more. I thought that was an interesting discovery and it led to whole series called Through the Looking Glass.' 'It is about introspection. If we are honest with ourselves, we are constantly looking to see if our conduct is consonant with our values and how we perceive ourselves. While it can entail constant self criticism, to me, there is something almost sacred about how you see yourself, when you are truly looking inward.' World art Every series Eva has worked on has originated from the impact of happenings around her whether it was Bajo la Misma Luna (about borders created by nations or formed based on status, gender preference, religion or identity) or Murmullos inspired by Mexican writer Juan Rulfo 'whose works are like an abstract painting; you can interpret it a million different ways.' This series inspired by Juan Rulfo is currently on display in Chile along with works of art by Juan's son, Pablo Rulfo. Call to the Mystic came about in a similar fashion. 'India is a spiritual and mystical place; I could connect with it as I did with my ancestors, the original people of Mexico.' 'The Mayans were great astronomers and had much knowledge of the universe and the movement of the moon, the planets and stars. They had about 20 calendars which they would follow for training or to heal, physically, mentally and emotionally. They also had spiritual guides called the Counters of Time and one of my pieces in this series is named so as well.' Unlike other exhibitions, Call to the Mystic invites visitors to touch the works of art and revel in its texture, because 'you can never really know my work unless you see it not only with your eyes, but also your hands. When you touch it, you will verify what you are looking at and gain a deeper understanding of my work.' Two pieces from Call to the Mystic — The Counter of Time and In Illo Tempore — will be at the Bihar Museum Biennale in Patna this year from August 7, till the end of the year. Eva will be part of a seminar on issues of Empathy, Memory and Conflict Within Museums on August 8 at the same venue. Inspired by mythology and ancient texts Call to the Mystic by Mexican artist Eva Malhotra is a celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between Mexico and India, and was introduced in the city by HE Frederico Salas, Ambassador of Mexico to India, and Sandeep Maini, Honorary Consul of Mexico in Bengaluru. Call to the Mystic will be on display at Gallery G till July 14, 2025
Boston Globe
26-06-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
Feeling more than a pinch from RFK Jr.'s germ theory denial
Get The Gavel A weekly SCOTUS explainer newsletter by columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr. Enter Email Sign Up So why is Kennedy allowing the disposal of this treasure trove of biological samples that could lead to many more insights into the development of human ailments and could prove his theories correct? Tragically, because of political divisiveness or vindictiveness, there may be much that we will never learn about the causes of cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Advertisement Can anyone help Kennedy understand the incongruity of his actions? When will Congress step in and prevent further damage to research that could actually help make Americans healthy, as Kennedy claims he wants to do? Sharon Schumack Watertown Health secretary misses a key truth of germ theory In his article Advertisement Germ theory doesn't deny the importance of factors such as good nutrition and overall physical fitness in maintaining good health. It asserts what is a well-established scientific fact: that specific diseases are linked to specific microbes infecting the human body. Both notions can be true. Kennedy is right in citing important determinants of health apart from microbes invading the body. These factors may in fact be essential in determining the course of a disease and its final outcome subsequent to the specific microbes entering the body. Jim Cain Wakefield Eat right, get exercise … tell that to the Mayans Five hundred years ago, a thriving Aztec civilization of 16 million people in Mexico was devastated within a short time by Hernán Cortés and his 500 men from Spain. Europeans also brought their diseases to what is now the United States, including reportedly deliberately infecting Indigenous people, with the same devastating results. World history would have been very different if only these people in the Americas had eaten the right foods, exercised sufficiently, and promoted better sanitation practices. Marilyn Levin Arlington Does RFK Jr. have an Rx for the times we live in? So, according to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., if I eat my veggies and avoid stress, I will not need a vaccine from Moderna or any other drugmaker to fight any new bird flu mutations. Regular exercise, three salads a day, and abstinence from exposure to news of atrocities from the Trump administration should keep me and my octogenarian friends in good health? Advertisement Sorry, I'm not buying that bridge. Rosemary Jones Jamaica Plain
Washington Post
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
The Oct. 7 terrorists have names. Make them public.
Patrick Desbois is a Catholic priest and founder and president of Yahad-In Unum, an organization dedicated to investigating targeted mass killings, including those of Jews and Roma during World War II, Mayans during Guatemala's civil war, and Yazidis during the ascendancy of the Islamic State. Who murdered Kfir Bibas? Who tortured Edan Alexander? Who raped Amit Soussana?
