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BONAMPAK 

A. Discovery
    1. site had been missed by many early explorers
    2. found in 1946
       a) Giles Healey was the first westerner to see them
          1) making movie of Lacandon Indians
          2) paid them in guns, food, and Western clothing
          3) taken by them to see a "tun" -- pile of stones
       b) name given to the site by Morley
    3. Carlos Frey
       a) visited the site with Bourne in 1946
       b) missed seeing the structure with murals by a few feet
    4. Carnegie Expedition in 1947
       a) murals by Tejeda
    5. Mexican expedition in 1948
       a) too many people
       b) Frey died trying to transport generator
 B. Murals
    1. Room 1
       a) first scene
          1) small child presented to court of ahaus on December 14, 790
             a> ensuring status as member of ruling lineage
          2) proceedings directed by Chaan-Muan
       b) second scene
          1) lords of Bonampak dress for celebration
             a> almost one year after first scene
             b> feather backframes being set in place
             c> dance at center of procession
             d> celebration probably in honor of new heir
             e> wear spondylus shells
          2) procession of musicians
    2. Room 2
       a) preparations
          1) upper register
             a> several individuals cluster around box (of weapons?)
             b> may be removing box
       b) battle
          1) single greatest battle scene in Maya art
          2) at least one hundred figures in original scene
          3) coincided with inferior conjunction of Venus (passed in
             front of sun) on August 2, 792
          4) confrontations between leaders and taking of prisoners
       c) the arraignment
          1) north wall
             a> one must turn around and sit down to see it
             b> Lords of Bonampak and allies from Yaxchilan
             c> presided by Chaan-Muan, lord of Bonampak
             d> capatives presented at Bonampak
                1> fingernails pulled out
                2> sacrifice victim on steps
                3> severed head on a bed of leaves
             e> lords of Bonampak observe
                1> Chaan-Muan at center
                2> Lady Rabbit and Lady Two at right
                   a: both carry spondylus shells
                3> warriors with spears and staffs
             f> full-figure constellations above scene
                1> Orion on far left as two mating peccaries
                2> Gemini at far right as turtle with three bright stars
             g> battle may occur in honor or heir in Room 1
    3. Room 3
       a) public sacrifice on pyramid
          1) performers wear "dancers' wings"
          2) lord stands on top tier
             a> holds bloodied axe in left hand
                1> decapitation may have already been performed
          3) captive being swung up steps
       b) musical procession
       c) depiction of 10 lords
       d) private sacrifices of the nobility
 C. Site history
    1. Mural remained unfinished
    2. Site abandoned shortly after mural was painted

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