Where Did It Come From?: The Ancient Maya - Tools Of Astronomy

Ancient Maya: Tools of Astronomy

Thousands of years before the Hubble telescope, the Ancient Maya were observing and recording details about the universe with a precision that continues to astound scientists today. In this exciting program, History travels to Mexico's Yucatan peninsula to get a firsthand look at the ancient world's most skilled astronomers: the Maya. With host Michael Guillen, visit the stunning site of Chichen Itza, home to the giant pyramid of Kukulkan, which once functioned as an enormous solar observatory. Explore the remains of the round structure known as El Caracol, which looks remarkably like a modern-day observatory, and learn how the Maya used the sun to lay out their various temples and observatories and examine their incredibly complex and accurate calendar system. Featuring interviews with renowned scholars, hands-on demonstrations, and dramatic reenactments, "Where Did It Come From?" presents a fascinating look into origins of modern astronomy.