Guide to Documentary Films
Anthropology
Palenque: Metropolis of the Maya, (The History Channel Lost World Series, 2006)
This fast-paced, intelligent documentary combines the history of the magnificent Mayan jungle mecca of Mexico with a dash of mystery, suspense, computer graphics, interviews and on scene narration. It is always interesting to walk around ancient ruins being restored, mapped and reconfigured with the site archaeologists and anthropologists as they discover new artifacts, postulate new theories and amazingly, recreate the cities with computer imagery so that we can see what they looked like in their prime. Those visual images can fire the imagination of all viewers as your marvel at what they ancient Mayans achieved.
Like other magnificent Mayan cities, Palenque thrived from roughly 300 AD to 900 AD when it was abandoned. The film focuses on the architectural aspects of some of its best buildings—the royal palace complex, the largest observatory tower in the ancient Americas, the tomb labyrinths, ball courts, underground aqueducts, colors once used to paint the facades and those marvelous computer-generated images of the city’s once grand appearance. At the center of the film’s exploration is a detailed view of the city’s now famous ruler, Lord Pacal, his dynamic 70-year reign, his tomb’s discovery in 1952 and the treasures found within.
The narration, photography, multiple interviews and script all combine to create an intriguing glimpse at the mapping and exploration of one of ancient Americas’ most magnificent cities.
Kenny Karem Collegiate School, Louisville, KY kennykentucky@aol.com
