Many civilizations lived in and ruled ancient Mesoamerica before the arrival of the Spanish Empire in the 16th century. But few of these ancient peoples have so captured our imagination like the Maya. In this truly unique travel series, you’ll feel like you’re studying abroad with an accomplished archaeologist, as you immerse yourself in the past and present of the Maya.

It’s not often you get an opportunity to accompany a renowned archaeologist as he explores ageless cenotes, decodes ancient hieroglyphs, and enjoys a round of handmade tequila. But with this new travel series, you can join Dr. Edwin Barnhart on the adventure of a lifetime as he guides you through the past, present, and future of the Maya world in the northern Yucatán—all from the comfort of your couch, or perhaps when you might follow in his footsteps in the future.

This isn’t your traditional lecture series produced by The Great Courses. Capturing the engaging immediacy of your favorite travel show, Exploring the Mayan World is packed with information on and insights into the wonders of this veritable crossroads of culture, revealing its hidden past and beautiful landscapes.

Drawn to the many archaeological mysteries of sites like Chichén Itzá and Ek’ Balam, travelers from around the world visit the northern Yucatán to experience a rare place where the ancient culture remains alive and well, practiced and celebrated by millions of Maya descendants who’ve maintained their traditions for more than 500 years. And for more than 30 years, Dr. Barnhart has dedicated his life to learning about the Maya. As founder and director of the nonprofit Maya Exploration Center, Dr. Barnhart is passionate about helping the Maya reclaim their rightful place as one of the world’s most sophisticated ancient civilizations.

In this well-paced, visually compelling series, Dr. Barnhart unpacks Maya history and culture in a way that brings you up close and personal with Maya life as you might never experience it otherwise, including:

Decoding cultural clues hidden in eight ancient Maya sites;
Exploring the mixed Maya-Spanish heritage of modern towns in Yucatán;
Interviewing archaeologists, artisans, chefs, and other local experts;
Appreciating the Maya’s enduring legacy in their food, music, fashion, and art; and so much more.
Whether you’re preparing for a trip to the region or you’ve always just wanted to know more about the Maya, Exploring the Mayan World is an exhilarating journey into both the distant past and the modern lives of the Maya. ¡Vámanos!

Walk among Maya Ruins

While archaeologists like Dr. Barnhart have pieced together some of the grand puzzle of Maya history, there’s still plenty of mysteries to be solved among the northern Yucatán’s many ancient sites. No visit to the region—and no understanding of the Maya past—is complete without a trip to the most prominent ancient ruins. And in Exploring the Mayan World, Dr. Barnhart takes you to several of the best, including:

Chichén Itzá, the most fantastic of all ancient Maya ruins, where you’ll find stunning architectural achievements and the largest ceremonial ball court in the entire Maya world, used by its citizens to reenact part of their creation story from the Popol Vuh;
Uxmal, a marvel of urban planning whose central quadrangle resembled a Spanish nunnery but actually was, in fact, a central place of administration made up of separate buildings for governance, war, religion, and the general people; and
Ek’ Balam, a former Maya capital whose name means “black jaguar” and whose well-preserved ruins include the White House of Reading, a building with one of the most fantastic stucco facades left to us by the ancient Maya.
There is, of course, much more to the Maya world than long-abandoned pyramids, observatories, courtyards, and temples. Dr. Barhart’s spirited explorations take you to some of the region’s most fascinating churches, caves, and spiritual wells (known as cenotes). Among them are:

The Convent of St. Anthony of Padua, whose layout was designed to encourage the Maya to transition from their own religious practices to Catholic ones and reflects what Dr. Barnhart calls “the architecture of conversion”;
The Loltún Caves, one of the most important finds in the Maya world, with hollow columns used to make music and 10,000-year-old cave paintings; and
Cenote Suytun, a geological cathedral whose subterranean pool was—and still is—used by the local Maya community as a place of recreation and refreshment from the blistering heat, but which was also believed to connect to the watery underworld, or Xibalba.
Discover How the Maya Thrive Today

While Exploring the Mayan World is rooted in the past, it focuses on the present day as well. Throughout these adventures, you’ll see how the Maya continue to thrive through everything from religious traditions and musical instruments to fine dining and local crafts.

Tasting Tequila. In Valladolid, a Spanish city built on the foundations of a Maya city named Zací, you’ll watch how the Mayapán brand of tequila is made by distilling the heart of the agave plant.
Conversing with Chaac. In Punta Laguna National Park, you’ll witness a blessing ceremony that is often part of a ritual dating back thousands of years in which the Maya call on Chaac, their rain god, to strike the clouds and water the crops.
Sipping Hot Chocolate. You’ll learn how the Maya use cacao grown in the region to make a chocolate drink the traditional way, enhancing it with a variety of local spices and flavors.
Weaving Economic Fortunes. During a day trip to Aké, you’ll visit a factory in a run-down hacienda where a new generation is reviving the sisal twine and rope industry that made the Yucatán so rich over 100 years ago.
And those are just a few of the enriching cultural experiences you’ll find in these episodes. All of them highlight the powerful connections between past and present in the northern Yucatán—and the resilience of the Maya themselves.

Despite all he’s learned over the years about the Maya world, Dr. Barnhart says he’s always discovering something new. And with Exploring the Mayan World, you’ll be making discoveries right alongside him.

So, forget the plane ticket, the hotel reservations, the backpack, and the hiking boots. Instead, just relax and enjoy the excitement of international travel, from home through this personalized tour of the ancient and modern Maya world, an adventure—and a Great Course—unlike anything you’ve seen