Sacred Mysteries Among the Mayas and the Quiches, 11,500 Years Ago Their relation to the sacred mysteries of Egypt, Greece, Chaldea and India. Free Masonry in times anterior to the Temple of Solomon.

"Sacred Mysteries Among the Mayas and the Quiches, 11,500 Years Ago" by Augustus Le Plongeon is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book delves into ancient Mayan and Quiche civilizations, exploring their sacred mysteries and their connections to other ancient cultures, such as those of Egypt, Greece, and India. Through discussions on archaeology and esoteric practices, it aims to illuminate the ancient past of these peoples, suggesting that their rituals predate many well-known traditions. The opening of the text introduces the author's intention to challenge prevailing misconceptions about the sophistication of ancient American civilizations. Le Plongeon criticizes contemporary scholars who dismiss Mayan accomplishments and emphasizes the need to recognize their scientific and cultural contributions. The preface outlines the author's frustrations with the lack of interest and appreciation for Maya civilization in the United States and highlights his dedication to uncovering and disseminating knowledge about ancient rites and symbols. Le Plongeon positions himself as a passionate advocate for understanding the depth of ancient Maya heritage and the significant parallels with other world civilizations. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Augustus Henry Julian Le Plongeon was a British-American antiquarian and photographer who studied the pre-Columbian ruins of America, particularly those of the Maya civilization on the northern Yucatán Peninsula. While his writings contain many notions that were not well received by his contemporaries and were later disproven, Le Plongeon left a lasting legacy in his photographs documenting the ancient ruins. He was one of the earliest proponents of Mayanism.