The Royal Cup

FAIN: TW-50154-11

Documentary Educational Resources, Inc. (Watertown, MA 02472-1640)
David Lebrun (Project Director: January 2011 to present)

Production of a two-hour documentary film that would examine Mayan history and culture through archaeological objects.

Over the past forty years, thousands of exquisitely painted ancient Maya ceramics have flooded into the world’s public and private collections. Previously rare and little known, these vessels have transformed Maya studies. Their images and texts have opened windows onto Maya life, history, ritual, literature and mythology. But because most of these vessels came to light by looting, they also raise profound practical and ethical questions. "The Royal Cup" will tell this story and explore the issues it raises through a feature length film and its one-hour television version; a nationwide outreach program of screenings, discussions and workshops; a multi-faceted website and ancillary outputs and materials.