Sun Dec 23, 2012, 04:15 PM

Judi Lynn (78,150 posts)

Mayan temple damaged in tourist 'apocalypse' frenzy

23 Dec 2012

Tourists flocking to Guatemala for "end of the world" parties have damaged an ancient stone temple at Tikal, the largest archeological site and urban center of the Mayan civilization.

"Sadly, many tourists climbed Temple II and caused damage," said Osvaldo Gomez, a technical adviser at the site, which is located some 550 kilometers (340 miles) north of Guatemala City.

"We are fine with the celebration, but (the tourists) should be more aware because this is a (UNESCO) World Heritage Site," he told local media.

Gomez did not specify what was done, although he did say it was forbidden to climb the stairs at the site and indicated that the damage was irreparable.

More:
http://www.afp.com/en/news/topstories/mayan-temple-damaged-tourist-apocalypse-frenzy

"What's yours is mine, and what's mine is mine."

Make yourselves at home, why not, half-wits?

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7 replies	Author	Time	Post
Mayan temple damaged in tourist 'apocalypse' frenzy (Original post)	Judi Lynn	Dec 2012	OP
People can be just fucking stupid sometimes...	The Velveteen Ocelot	Dec 2012	#1
Oh, brother...	derby378	Dec 2012	#2
That's why Stonehenge	dipsydoodle	Dec 2012	#4
I realize the very human desire to physically connect with touchstones from our past	derby378	Dec 2012	#5
I wouldn't read too much into it	naaman fletcher	Dec 2012	#6
Loonies	dipsydoodle	Dec 2012	#3
Oh my god, stupid, stupid asses.	a la izquierda	Dec 2012	#7

Response to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Sun Dec 23, 2012, 04:23 PM

The Velveteen Ocelot (34,902 posts)

1. People can be just fucking stupid sometimes...

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Response to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Sun Dec 23, 2012, 04:29 PM

derby378 (28,589 posts)

2. Oh, brother...

Would these same people have showed the same amount of disrespect to Stonehenge or the Egyptian pyramids?

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Response to derby378 (Reply #2)

Sun Dec 23, 2012, 05:03 PM

dipsydoodle (33,148 posts)

4. That's why Stonehenge

is more or less shut off.

Similarly in our museums in the UK when it says dont touch it means "keep your fucking mitts off"

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Response to dipsydoodle (Reply #4)

Sun Dec 23, 2012, 06:35 PM

derby378 (28,589 posts)

5. I realize the very human desire to physically connect with touchstones from our past

Last edited Sun Dec 23, 2012, 07:08 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1)

I have a small collection of ancient Roman and Chinese coins (and one from the Parthian Empire, too). Great for showing off to friends, family, or perhaps the occasional classroom if the kids are interested.

Coins, however, are a small part of history. That Mayan temple is history - all of humanity has a stake in its preservation, which is all the more reason to preserve it for the generations to come from.

So yes, I understand the "Do Not Touch" rule. Not even the curators touch the art anymore than they have to, and it they do, don't they always don pH-neutral white gloves first?

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Response to derby378 (Reply #5)

Sun Dec 23, 2012, 06:50 PM

naaman fletcher (7,057 posts)

6. I wouldn't read too much into it

Watch a three year old when you give them an object. They analyze it by touch as much as anything else. We are wired to use our senses to examine things and touch is one of them.

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Response to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Sun Dec 23, 2012, 04:32 PM

dipsydoodle (33,148 posts)

3. Loonies

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Response to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Sun Dec 23, 2012, 09:02 PM

a la izquierda (7,634 posts)

7. Oh my god, stupid, stupid asses.

This infuriates me.

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