Overview

Pack your virtual bag and immerse yourself in the astounding past—and present—of the Mayan world.

It’s not very often you have an opportunity to accompany an acclaimed archaeologist as he explores ageless cenotes, decodes ancient messages, and enjoys a round of handmade tequila. You’ve certainly never had an opportunity like this through a traditional lecture series produced by The Great Courses. But with this new, unique travel series, you can join Dr. Edwin Barnhart on the adventure of a lifetime as he guides you through the past, present, and future of the Maya world in the northern Yucatán—all from the comfort of your favorite couch.

Resembling the comfortable intimacy of your favorite travel show, Exploring the Mayan World is packed with information and insights into the wonders of this veritable crossroads of culture, revealing their hidden pasts and beautiful landscapes.

In this well-paced and visually compelling series, Dr. Barnhart unpacks information and insights delivered in a relaxed, engaging manner that will bring you up close and personal with opportunities you may never have the chance to experience otherwise.

So, forget the plane ticket, the hotel reservations, the backpack, and the hiking boots. Instead, just relax and enjoy the excitement of international travel, from home through this personalized tour of the ancient and modern Maya world—an adventure—and a Great Course—unlike anything you’ve seen.

Course Structure

01: Mérida

Start your adventures in the Maya world with a trip to Mérida: the capital of Yucatán and the cultural capital of the entire peninsula. You’ll visit a factory in a run-down hacienda where they’re reviving the industry that made the Yucatán so rich more than 100 years ago; explore the mega-mansions lining Mérida’s Paseo de Mont; and go shopping for the perfect hammock and guayabera shirt.

Duration: 25 min

02: Chichén Itzá

First, travel to Izamal, the “yellow city” named after the Maya sky god. Here, you’ll tour the city’s rich history—including a hike up a pyramid as high as a 10-story building and a walk through the Convent of St. Anthony of Padua, designed as a Christian teaching tool for the Maya. Then, venture on to Chichén Itzá, where you’ll get up close and personal with magnificent achievements of Maya architecture, including an observatory, a ceremonial ball court, and a sacred cenote.

Duration: 27 min

03: Ek’ Balam

Join Dr. Barnhart for a trip to two of his favorite places in the Yucatán: Valladolid and Ek’ Balam. The first is a city established on the foundations of a Maya city called Zací and offers travelers a chance to see a traditional agave distillery and an all-female troop of competitive horseback riders. The second is the well-preserved ruins of what was once a Maya capital, where you’ll witness fantastic stucco facades and reenactors demonstrating musical instruments and the Maya ball game.

Duration: 28 min

04: Tihosuco

More fun in the Maya world awaits in this fascinating episode where you’ll accompany Dr. Barnhart as he writes his name in Maya hieroglyphs, talks to howler monkeys, plunges into a geological cathedral, and more. It’s all part of his journey to Tihosuco, home to perhaps the largest episode in world history of an oppressed people fighting for their independence. Sites you’ll visit include the Cenote Suytun, Punta Laguna National Park, the Caste War Museum, and the Iglesia de Santo Niño Jesus.

Duration: 25 min

05: Mayapán

Around 1250, Mayapán replaced Chichén Itzá as the new capital of the Yucatán—and one founded on a league of representational government. In this episode, you’ll get a chance to explore the rich history and culture of the site and its surrounding region. Learn about the infamous destruction of sacred Maya codices during public acts of faith held by the Spanish friar Diego de Landa, sample delicious dishes of grilled pork and ground pumpkin seeds, and spend some time looking over the shoulder of a ceramic artist working to keep Maya artistic traditions alive in the 21st century through reproductions of ancient pottery.

Duration: 24 min

06: Uxmal

Discover what makes Uxmal such a marvel of Maya urban planning. Dr. Barnhart walks you through archaeological features, including the Pyramid of the Dwarf, the Palace of the Governors, and the Nunnery Quadrangle. Plus, spend some time exploring the Loltún Caves: a site that was once used for religious meditation and rituals, and where you’ll find handprints dating back 10,000 years. Cap off your adventure with a sampling of hot chocolate—made the traditional Maya way.

Duration: 27 min

07: Celestún

Your first stop in this episode is Kabáh, the second-largest ruin featuring the Puuc architectural style, where you’ll find over 200 faces of Chaac the rain god and a rare example of literate public art. Next, visit Bécal, famous for producing some of the best jipijapas (or, as tourists call them, panama hats) in the Yucatán. Finally, take a trip to the Celestún biosphere, a wetland reserve spanning some 150,000 acres that’s famous for the thousands of flamingos that flock there.

Duration: 26 min

08: Labná

Labná, the last of the ancient sites you’ll hit on this trip, is an architectural wonder crowned by the three buildings everyone comes here to see: the Palacio, the El Mirador pyramid, and the Labná Arch. After decoding the cultural messages in these famous works, travel back to Mérida, where your journey began. Here, you’ll follow Dr. Barnhart through the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, watch him sample modern takes on traditional Maya cuisine at a boutique hotel and spa, and catch an evening revival of a Maya ball game in Mérida’s central square.

Duration: 24 min