The ballgame is a crucial event in Mesoamerican cultures, teams competed to pass a rubber ball through stone hoops without using their hands. The game was more than just a sport, often with religious and symbolic significance. "The Road to El Dorado," an animated film from 2000, shows two con artists who stumble upon the legendary city of gold playing the mythic game. Can they channel the gods they are pretending to be?

Both the ballgame and the movie delve into the timeless quest for something greater than oneself by connecting to the real mythological origins of multiple groups in the Mesoamerican world.

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Music Used

'Three Sheets To The Wind' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Path Through The Mountains' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Wayfarer' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Chasing Daylight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Victor Lux' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Castles in the Sky' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Petrichor' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

For generations, mariners and artists have been attracted by the frightening ghost ship, the Flying Dutchman. Maritime art depicts its haunting tale, conveying a sense of gloom and eternal torment. This narrative continues to inspire maritime art, reminding us of the influence of myths on cultural legacy and how we look back on it.

Full written text with pictures and citations: https://www.detoursinartaeology.com/artaeology-podcast/following-the-flying-dutchman-podcast

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Fun Fact:

Butterflies often roost upside down under leaves at night, using their tarsi to hang. This behavior protects them from predators and rain, and helps conserve energy for migration. They may also roost in large groups, appearing to huddle together for warmth.

(Australian Butterfly Sanctuary 2019)

Music

'Snowfall' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'In Search Of Solitude' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Hiraeth' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Ephemera' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Undertow' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Sleep' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'There is a Place' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

In the realm of ancient Mesoamerican mythology, Xipe Tótec stands out as a compelling figure with layers of symbolism waiting to be unravelled. Adorned in the flayed skin of a sacrificial victim, this deity embodies a profound metaphor of transformation and renewal.

Through intricate carvings, vibrant murals, and ornate ceramics, artists of the past captured the essence of Xipe Tótec's cyclical nature. Just as the god sheds his skin to reveal a fresh layer beneath, so too does the art surrounding him invite viewers to contemplate themes of sacrifice, rebirth, and the eternal cycle of life and death. Like most of the deities in the Mesoamerican world, Xipe Tótec’s appearance challenges us to reflect on our capacity for growth and renewal, encouraging us to peel back the layers of our own existence to reveal the beauty and potential within.

Today, in a world where the echoes of ancient beliefs still resonate, the imagery of Xipe Tótec continues to serve as a potent metaphor. Through the art inspired by Xipe Tótec, we are reminded that transformation is not always easy or pretty, but it is a necessary step towards embracing our true selves and evolving into beings of resilience and grace.

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Random Fact:

In ancient Egypt, all ships visiting Alexandria were obliged to surrender their books to the Royal Library and be copied.

The original would be kept in the library and the copy given back to the owner.

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Music:

'Bring Me The Sky' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'In Search Of Solitude' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'Phase Shift' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

'The Long Dark' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Xipe Tótec: The Flayed God Revealed in Art