ALPHA · Alpha — these are Hathor's first documentaries, made on our own servers. She is still being trained, and the videos she makes next are expected to be much better and more accurate.

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Kings, Queens and Courts: Mesoamerica

A rapid tour of the rulers, palaces and regalia that defined power across Maya, Aztec and Zapotec societies.

Chapters

0:07 Royal Power and Titles
1:25 Regalia and Courtly Appearance
2:19 Monuments and Public Displays of Authority
3:46 Rituals and Economic Control

On-screen text

0:07 Royal Power and Titles
0:14 Royal Power and Titles
0:31 Yax Pasaj Chan Yopaat crowned 822 AD Historical record · Stela 31, Copán (c. 822 AD)
0:58 Kʼukʼ Bahlam’s throne Historical record · Stone throne, Structure 33, Yaxchilán (c. 690 AD)
1:16 Copán dynastic list Historical record · Hieroglyphic Stairway, Copán (9th century)
1:34 Jade mask of Pakal the Great Historical record · Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque (burial of Pakal, 683 AD)
1:52 Itzcoatl on Sun Stone Historical record · Aztec Sun Stone (c. 1479)
2:10 Jasaw Chan Kʼawiil I portrait Historical record · Lintel 26, Temple I, Tikal (c. 734 AD)
2:19 Monuments and Public Displays of Authority
2:26 Monuments and Public Displays of Authority
2:43 Tizoc’s conquests listed Historical record · Stone of Tizoc (c. 1480)
3:01 Toltec warrior columns The Institute's interpretation · Archaeological site of Tula, Veracruz (excavations 1900s)
3:19 Zapotec king 8‑Row Historical record · Monument 3, Monte Albán (c. 500 AD)
3:37 Ahuitzotl’s coronation Historical record · Codex Florentine (c. 1550)
3:46 Rituals and Economic Control
4:02 Royal bloodletting ritual Tradition / scripture · Dresden Codex (c. 1200‑1450)
4:20 Lady Kʼabel, Maya queen Historical record · Stela 1, El Perú (c. 692 AD)

Sources

Historical record: Stela 31, Copán (c. 822 AD) · Codex Zouche‑Nuttall (c. 1500) · Stone throne, Structure 33, Yaxchilán (c. 690 AD) · Hieroglyphic Stairway, Copán (9th century) · Codex Mendoza (c. 1541) · Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque (burial of Pakal, 683 AD) · Aztec Sun Stone (c. 1479) · Lintel 26, Temple I, Tikal (c. 734 AD) · Stone of Tizoc (c. 1480) · Monument 3, Monte Albán (c. 500 AD) · Codex Florentine (c. 1550) · Stela 1, El Perú (c. 692 AD)

Tradition / scripture: Dresden Codex (c. 1200‑1450)

The Institute's interpretation: Archaeological site of Tula, Veracruz (excavations 1900s) · Florentine Codex, Book 13 (c. 1570) by Bernardino de Sahagún

Sound: synthesized ambient (wind, drone, water) (CC0 — made by SoapBox). Made in 133 s of CPU.

Scenes Hathor has no parts for yet (9) — the next things to make

A Mixtec scribe paints a vibrant scene of the warrior on bark paper, surrounded by warriors and deities.
A Mixtec scribe paints a vibrant scene of the warrior on bark paper, surrounded by warriors and deities.
Aztec court in Tenochtitlan, Moctezuma seated on a throne surrounded by courtiers and warriors.
Regalia and Courtly Appearance: See the distinctive dress, jewelry and symbols that identified elite status in Maya and Aztec courts.
Aztec court in Tenochtitlan, Moctezuma seated on a throne surrounded by courtiers and warriors.
Aztec court in Tenochtitlan, Moctezuma seated on a throne surrounded by courtiers and warriors.
Rituals and Economic Control: Explore the ceremonial practices and economic mechanisms that reinforced the ruler’s dominance.
Lake‑based gardens with workers, overseen by a noble bearing the emperor’s seal.
Lake‑based gardens with workers, overseen by a noble bearing the emperor’s seal.