. . . . For more than 100 years archaeologists have described civilizations that consume mountains of resources in temples, palaces, burials, offerings, and so on as "Classic." They talk about their "richness" and "splendor" and not their waste. Why? Because what these wastrels left behind look spectacular and and are, therefore, valuable to us today -- "Classic" sturctures are important tourist attractions; resource rich "Classic" artifacts draw viewers to our museums.

The term "Classic" seems to suggest that what they did was "good" and is something "we should strive to emulate." But, ask yourself, "What good do these expensive shining structures and ornaments do for the long gone Classic Maya?

What Archaeologists Call Decadent . . .