The
Maya Indians were such good builders that you can find ruins of
their cities even today. Not all, but many of their cities were
built deep in the rain forests of Central America.
Archaeologists
have a tough time finding them. The
rain forest is a dense tangle of trees and vines. Archaeologists
cannot use airplanes or helicopters to find ruins, because the
buildings are hidden from sight by the trees and vines. They have to
hunt on foot.
All
work stops from September to May, because of the rain. It’s too
wet in the jungles and swamps to conduct a dig. From May to August,
the rain slows, but the temperature is very hot without heavy
rains to cool things off. There are dangerous animals. Some of the
natives are not at all friendly.
In
spite of the difficulties, some archaeologists are willing to brave
the dangers of the rain forest to learn more about the mysterious
Mayas.
