Hello All - We watched the Bone Detective program about Maya burial caves in Belize (Midnight Terror, Actun Tunichil Muknal and a shelter cave near Caves Branch) on the Discovery Channel and were appalled by the destruction of a stalagmite, the lack of respect for the caves and their contents and the absurd premise of the program. Unfortunately, there will be another program in the series. We received the following email from Jaime. David and Eleanor Friends and colleagues A few days ago the Discovery Channel aired a show entitled "The Bone Detective". I don't know how many of you saw it but the show focused on two caves that we have been working on here in Belize. These are Midnight Terror and ATM caves. Let me simply say that this show was the worst piece of caca I have ever had to suffer through. The shameless editing of much of what we said and the way they cut and pasted our discussions and interpretations was appaling, disgusting and incredibly unprofessional. So much of what Gabe, I and Raffi said was distorted for the simple purpose of making it fit their incredulous story. All to achieve their goal of sensationalism. And when you see the show it appears that Gabe and I were only here to assit their cowboy archaeologist as he removed objects from one site to the other. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can assure you that these folks will never ever have another opportunity to film at any of our sites here in Belize. Neither will I ever consider to participate in any show by these people. I truyly hope that this will serve as a warning to all of you and that you be careful when agreeing to participate in any filming with the Discovery folks in the future. As for me, this has been a harsh learning lesson and in the future I will request to have a signed agreement with any film crew requiring that I be given some level of editorial rights before the release of any show. If they refuse then they can go film somewhere else. Below I attach some comments that Gabe sent me as well. Well, my plan is to hunt Robert Yuhas and tie him down over a fireant nest. Or, perhaps put him in a room with one of those crazy "three-step snakes." Anyway, based on all the comments I've heard, as well as have read on their comments page on the website, at least poor scotty and the show are taking the blame, as they should. I was just so disappointed. I talked with robert endlessly about the show in the spring and he took what I suggested and just twisted it all out of shape. I suggested he show how we go about interpreting a new context (midnight terror) by showing the data there, and then comparing it to other similar contexts which are more indicative sacrifice (ATM) and a burial plot (Caves Branch). And somehow, from those noble beginnings, they get to that ridiculous conclusion! How sad.
Thanks to all for your time and here's hoping that this unfortunate even may never be repeated again. Warm regards to all, Jaime Who's never won? Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. <http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp0030000 0002548> ------ End of Forwarded Message
