Today is Sunday, July 12th, 2020.

On this day in 1562, a Spanish friar named Diego de Landa ordered the destruction of dozens of sacred texts in an

attempt to convert the Maya people to Christianity.

Welcome to today in True Crime, a parcast original. Due to the graphic nature of today's crimes,

listener discretion is advised.

Extreme caution is advised for listeners under 13.

Today we're covering a 16th century Catholic priest

who burned priceless Maya history and science books

all in the name of God. Let's go back to the Maya City of Mani on the

afternoon of July 12th 1562. Friar Diego de la Fri Diego Delanda had devoted his life to bringing the Roman Catholic Church to the Maya.

He made his first missionary trip to the Yucatan and was named the religious head of the entire province in 1561.

Landa had opened monasteries, baptized Maya Chiefs, and filled villages across the peninsula with the sound of church bells.

But it wasn't enough.

Two months earlier, in May 1562, a cave was discovered near Mani filled with

human bones and Maya religious idols, like jeweled skulls and sculptures.

Locals quickly admitted that they were still secretly

worshipping their old idols.

They had also used the cave for human sacrifices.

The Spanish friars were furious.

They had considered money to be one of the greatest successes in the Yucatan,

but when they found the cave they realized their mistake. The Maya hadn't

given up their old religion they had just made it more private. The friars started arresting every Maya

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