Mayan Phenomena

Sherrie Strausfogel was taken in by the local guides when she stated, “Virgins and other human sacrifices were thrown into” the cenote or water hole. Edward Thompson, a New Englander, owned the site and from 1904 to 1907 dredged the cenote. The early Spanish recorded the virgin sacrifice myth but Thompson found that “the majority of the bones belonged to men and children, with at least half being less than 6 years old. Of the eight women, seven were of mature age.” We’ve found over the years that guides frequently embellish the truth.

ROBERT E. SPELLMAN

San Diego