The distinct color contrast between the two rivers and the phenomenon of not mixing is due to their differences in sediment, speed, and temperature. The Rio Negro, originating from Colombia, has dark waters because of the high acidity levels which comes from the decaying vegetation in the rainforest through which it flows. The Solimões River, on the other hand, carries a significant amount of sediment carried from the Andes Mountains, giving it a muddy, brown appearance. The Rio Negro is a slow-moving river running at a rate of about 1.24 mph and at a temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit. By contrast, the Solimões River runs faster and cooler at 3.7 mph and 72 degrees Fahrenheit respectively. 

Eventually, the faster waters of the Solimões River and its raging eddies force the waters to combine to form the lower portion of the Amazon River. The Amazon River and its basin are home to so many natural wonders and The Meeting of the Waters is one of them. It is a testament to the complex interplay of environmental factors that shape the area, offering a stunning visual spectacle and an important ecological landmark.

The Maya were an indigenous civilization living in Mesoamerica in a region that stretched from southern Mexico, into the Yucatan peninsula, through Guatemala and Belize, and into northern El Salvador and western Honduras. Their civilization dates back to antiquity to about 2000 BC. The first non-Maya to make contact with their society were the Spanish during their colonization of the Americas and their efforts to conquer their land between 1511 and 1607 AD. This is when the last independent Mayan city fell to Spanish rule. However, it wasn’t until two men met, almost two hundred years later, that the Maya we know today and their architectural and cultural achievements were introduced to the modern world. 

John Lloyd Stephens

Born on November 28, 1805, in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, John Lloyd Stephens was an American explorer, writer, and diplomat. He graduated from Columbia College in 1822 and later pursued a career in law, becoming a successful attorney in New York City. However, Stephens’ passion for travel and adventure led him to explore various parts of the world, including Europe, the Middle East, and Egypt. His early travels resulted in well-received travelogues, Incidents of Travel in Egypt, Arabia Petraea, and the Holy Land (1837) and Incidents of Travel in Greece, Turkey, Russia, and Poland (1838).

In 1839, influenced by reports of ancient ruins in Central America, Stephens secured a diplomatic appointment as Special Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Central America. This position provided him with the perfect opportunity to explore the region and investigate its archaeological wonders.

Frederick Catherwood

Frederick Catherwood, born on February 27, 1799, in London, England, was an accomplished artist, architect, and illustrator. He studied architecture at the Royal Academy in London and developed a keen interest in ancient ruins, particularly those in Egypt and the Mediterranean. He published many of his drawings of ancient structures during his travels and was even the first Westerner to draw the Dome of the Rock, an Islamic shrine, in Jerusalem. Catherwood's talent for precise and detailed drawings made him a valuable asset in documenting archaeological sites.

In 1836, during an exhibition where Catherwood’s panorama “The Ruins of Jerusalem” was on display in London, Catherwood and Stephens met. They decided to explore Central America together, combining Stephens' literary skills and diplomatic access with Catherwood's artistic expertise. Their aim was to explore the area of Copán in western Honduras, an ancient Mayan archeological site previously explored and documented by others, but wanting to produce something with more detail and more accurate drawings. 

The Expeditions

In 1839 and 1841, Stephens and Catherwood embarked on two significant expeditions to Central America, particularly focusing on the Yucatán Peninsula. They visited and documented numerous ancient Maya cities, including Copán, Palenque, Uxmal, and Chichén Itzá. Their findings were groundbreaking, as they were among the first to recognize the true significance and extent of the Maya civilization. 

Stephens meticulously described their adventures and discoveries in his books Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatán (1841) and Incidents of Travel in Yucatán (1843). These works captivated readers with their vivid descriptions of the ruins and the challenges faced during the expeditions. Catherwood also self-published his own volume, Views of Ancient Monuments in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan (1844) which contains 25 colored lithographs created from his original watercolors he made during their travels. 

Catherwood’s detailed and accurate illustrations complemented Stephens’ narratives, providing visual proof of their findings. Using a camera lucida, Catherwood created intricate drawings of the ruins, capturing the architectural details and the grandeur of the structures. His illustrations were crucial in conveying the scale and sophistication of Maya architecture to a broader audience.

Legacy

The work of Stephens and Catherwood had a profound impact on the understanding of the ancient Maya civilization and the extent of its previously unknown sophistication and advancement. Their publications sparked widespread interest in Mesoamerican archaeology and inspired future explorations. Their detailed records and illustrations remain valuable resources for archaeologists and historians studying the region. Their efforts helped preserve many of the ruins they encountered. By drawing attention to the significance of these sites, they contributed to the early preservation movement, ensuring that these ancient treasures were not entirely lost to time and neglect. When these two men met, it was a catalyst for bringing the knowledge of a great civilization to the world. 

Sources:

https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/79111/meeting-of-the-waters

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meeting_of_Waters

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackwater_river

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Negro_(Amazon)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solim%C3%B5es_River

https://www.rainforestcruises.com/guides/manaus-brazil-meeting-of-the-waters

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_civilization

https://www.worldhistory.org/article/419/early-explorers-of-the-maya-civilization-john-lloy/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lloyd_Stephens

https://www.thoughtco.com/john-lloyd-stephens-and-frederick-catherwood-171620

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Catherwood