Blog 2: Las Plantas Sagradas de la Selva Maya by Libby-Jay

Las plantas sagradas de la Selva Maya
http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8083000/8083812.stm

Encontré este artículo en la página web de la BBC, centrándose en las plantas y los árboles representados en los murales mayas y la cerámica. Un análisis de la cerámica maya ha presentado pistas en cuanto a que los árboles y las plantas eran sagrados para la cultura maya. Al estudiar tanto las formas y los cuadros de estas especies de flores hermosas, un explorador pudo establecer directamente cada planta por la vista en la selva de Guatemala a través de la obra de arte, aunque muchas de estas plantas se muestra aún no se han buscado. Plantas mantenido un valor significativo en la cultura maya, dentro de la ecología, la cultura y el ritual. historiador naturales y arqueólogo Charles Zidar de Jardín Botánico de Missouri en St. Louis, EE.UU., y botánico Wayne Elisens de la Universidad de Oklahoma, Norman, EE.UU., decidió utilizar esta obra de arte tradicionales para encontrar las plantas representado, con el fin de estudiar tanto su importancia en la cultura maya, así como las propiedades médicas que pueden mantener en secreto hoy en día. Su tarea consiste en examinar más de 2.500 imágenes de la época clásica (250-900 dC). Entre las 5 especies diferentes descubierto en la cerámica era el árbol de Ceiba, que fue pensado para un mapa de la alta, media y bajos fondos. "Considerado como el" primer árbol ", o" árbol del mundo ", la ceiba se pensaba hasta situarse en el centro de la Tierra. La gente moderna indígenas todavía suelen dejar el árbol solo por respeto al aprovechamiento de la madera de los bosques." Tazas de cacao utilizado para beber también se encontraron para ser adornado con pequeños brotes blancos de la especie Quararibea funebris, una planta que se utiliza para dar sabor a las bebidas y la espuma de cacao.


I found this article on BBC's website, focusing on plants and trees depicted in Maya murals and pottery. An analysis of Mayan pottery has presented clues as to which trees and plants were sacred to Maya culture. By studying both the shapes and paintings of these beautiful floral species, an explorer could directly identify each plant by sight in the Guatemalan jungle through the artwork, though many of these depicted plants have yet to be searched for. Plants held a significant value in Maya culture; within ecology, culture and ritual. Natural historian and archaeologist Charles Zidar of Missouri Botanical Garden in St Louis, US, and botanist Wayne Elisens of the University of Oklahoma, Norman, US, decided to use this traditional artwork to find the depicted plants, in order to study both their significance in Mayan culture as well as any medical properties they may secretly hold today. Their task involves examining more than 2,500 images from the Classical period (AD 250-900). Among the 5 different species discovered on the ceramics was the Ceiba tree, which was thought to map out the upper, middle, and underworlds. "Considered the "first tree", or "world tree", the ceiba was thought to stand at the centre of the Earth. Modern indigenous people still often leave the tree alone out of respect when harvesting forest wood." Cups used for drinking cocoa were also found to be adorned with small white buds of the Quararibea funebris species, a plant that was used to flavour and froth cocoa beverages.
I found this article to be incredibly interesting in offering a visual connection to items and floral properties that were central to Maya culture. Not only could these discoveries, as the progress, reveal a more in-depth understanding of ritual Maya culture, but the analysis of these plants and trees may possibly yield medicinal properties that could be studied and possibly, at a long stretch, used in effect in the future. With Maya pottery depicting these plants and trees also serves to demonstrate that they must have had both a deep connection with the forest surrounding them, as well as an ingrained knowledge as to the uses and properties of these many plants. They had survived in their location for many years, and relied on the healing properties of the forest around them. Zidar stated that "By determining what plants were of importance to the ancient Maya, it is my hope that identified plants can be further studied for pharmaceutical, culinary, economic and ceremonial uses. More should be done to conserve large tracts of forest in order to properly study theses plants for their value to mankind." This proposal would not only lead to a greater knowledge of both Maya culture and the properties of these forest plants, but could also assist in creating conservation zones that would prevent deforestation and other harmful practices. Apparently, their work has also sparked tremendous interest to pharmaceutical companies who are examining the alkaloids in the plants as well.