RUINS OF ANCIENT MEXICO

Year Published: 1928

Creator: emma-lindsay-squier

Description: "Ruins of Ancient Mexico" is a film showing a 1928 survey of Aztec sites in Mexico made by Emma Lindsay Squier. Squier made these pioneering images while gathering legends for her book "The Bride of the Sacred Well." The film begins with images of Teotihuacan, including the Pyramid of the Sun and other Aztec ruins. At 5:22 is a look at the famous water gardens of Xochimilco, followed at 7:39 footage shot at Chichen-Itza. At 8:26 are shots of El Caracol, where Mayan priests observed the stars. At 9:53, ruins are shown still covered by jungle foliage. At 11:11 the Temple of a Thousand Columns is shown, and at 13:08 the chacmool figure. At 13:54, the mound and deep shaft thought to be the grave of a high priest of Kukul Kan. At 14:29, the huge Sacred Well and the Pyramid of Kukul Kan. Squier was an American author, journalist, and screenwriter known for her nature and travel writing, particularly her work on Mexican and Native American folklore. She started her career as a journalist for the Los Angeles Times and later became an assistant editor for a periodical. Squier achieved national recognition with her book "The Wild Heart" (1922), a collection of stories about wildlife. She also authored other notable works, including "The Bride of the Sacred Well," a book of legends from ancient Mexico, and "Gringa: An American Woman in Mexico," which recounted her adventures in the country. Her work was the basis for at least two films, including the Academy Award-nominated "The Dancing Pirate" (1936). Squier also filmed her travels for non-commercial purposes. As the text you provided describes, her films of Mexican and Indian life were so well-regarded that they were purchased for use as educational films by the San Diego Board of Education. She died in 1941 from tuberculosis. This film was one of a group, several of which may now be lost. Titles included "Mexican Children and Pets," "Mexican and Indian Customs," "Mexico, Ancient and Modern," and this film "Ruins of Ancient Mexico."

Complete Record: "Ruins of Ancient Mexico" is a film showing a 1928 survey of Aztec sites in Mexico made by Emma Lindsay Squier. Squier made these pioneering images while gathering legends for her book "The Bride of the Sacred Well." The film begins with images of Teotihuacan, including the Pyramid of the Sun and other Aztec ruins. At 5:22 is a look at the famous water gardens of Xochimilco, followed at 7:39 footage shot at Chichen-Itza. At 8:26 are shots of El Caracol, where Mayan priests observed the stars. At 9:53, ruins are shown still covered by jungle foliage. At 11:11 the Temple of a Thousand Columns is shown, and at 13:08 the chacmool figure. At 13:54, the mound and deep shaft thought to be the grave of a high priest of Kukul Kan. At 14:29, the huge Sacred Well and the Pyramid of Kukul Kan. Squier was an American author, journalist, and screenwriter known for her nature and travel writing, particularly her work on Mexican and Native American folklore. She started her career as a journalist for the Los Angeles Times and later became an assistant editor for a periodical. Squier achieved national recognition with her book "The Wild Heart" (1922), a collection of stories about wildlife. She also authored other notable works, including "The Bride of the Sacred Well," a book of legends from ancient Mexico, and "Gringa: An American Woman in Mexico," which recounted her adventures in the country. Her work was the basis for at least two films, including the Academy Award-nominated "The Dancing Pirate" (1936). Squier also filmed her travels for non-commercial purposes. As the text you provided describes, her films of Mexican and Indian life were so well-regarded that they were purchased for use as educational films by the San Diego Board of Education. She died in 1941 from tuberculosis. This film was one of a group, several of which may now be lost. Titles included "Mexican Children and Pets," "Mexican and Indian Customs," "Mexico, Ancient and Modern," and this film "Ruins of Ancient Mexico."