From:

Prof. Kevin Steve

GRAN HOTEL CIUDAD DE MÉXICO
Av. 16 de Septiembre #82, Centro
Del. Cuauhtémoc, C.P. 06000
Ciudad de México, Distrito Federal, México

To:

Dr. Bernard Higginsbottom

Faculty of History
Cambridge University
West Rd #1
Cambridge CB3 9EF
United Kingdom

Mexico City, 03/18/1956

My dear Doctor Higginsbottom,

I am delighted to inform you that I have made a tremendously important discovery. In my previous letter to you, I had mentioned a golden coin I found at Chichen B'alam Muyal two weeks ago. At first, I had only found it peculiar, but as it turns out, it is historically significant too! And for once I even know why!

After consulting with some of the researchers responsible for the temple complex, who as a matter of fact have only recently returned from Yucatán, we have determined that the animal depicted on the coin is most definitely the crocodile deity Cipactli, in a rendition most commonly found in the southern parts of Mesoamerica. We were able to find almost an exact match for this iteration of the God in the form of an engraved stone tablet, right here at the archives of the National University of Mexico.

And you will not believe it, this stone tablet originates from none other than that fabled sister tribe of the Ngäbe in northern Panama, the yet to be discovered Ihkuiloa teixkuepali tokaitl nikan, or as you always call them, the Tokaitl tribe! Ultimately, the existence of this coin has further strengthened my theory that the influence of the Mayans stretches further south than previously thought and that the temple of the Tokaitl does in fact exist, just north of the Volcán Barú. Thus, I have decided travel to Panama immediately.

I have already contacted my friend Salvador Martinez in Panama City and now only have to wait for my travel permit from the consulate, before I can depart.

If our theories are correct and the temple really lies where I think it does, this may very truly become the discovery of the century!

Sincerely your friend and colleague,

Professor Kevin Steve

P.S. I have enclosed a wonderful sample of the blue fern smelly death crocus I discovered while touring Tikal. When I first spotted it growing alone on an arid piece of rock next to the latrine, I immediately thought of you! I do hope you like it!

*Chichen B'alam Muyal is made up by yours truly, but based on the very real Chichen Itza. It roughly translates to "At the mouth of the well to Jaguar Cloud".

*The Ihkuiloa teixkuepali tokaitl nikan tribe also doesn't exist but feel free to find a Nahuatl translator and see what it really says. Also disclaimer, I know since this involves Mayans it should be Mayathan, but sadly I wasn't able to find a translator so just imagine they are very Aztec- heavy Mayans for now. Then again, we're entering a very grey area when it comes to historical accuracy anyway, so I'll just say it now: I'm sorry!