Mayan

Mayan Civilization

The Mayan Civilization was a Mesoamerican civilization developed by the Maya peoples, noted for its hieroglyphic script—the only known fully developed writing system of the pre-Columbian Americas—as well as for its art, architecture, mathematics, calendar, and astronomical system. The Mayan civilization developed in an area that encompasses southeastern Mexico, all of Guatemala and Belize, and the western portions of Honduras and El Salvador.

History

The Maya civilization was a complex society that began as early as 2000 BC and continued to have a strong presence in Mesoamerica for over 3000 years until the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. The civilization was formed into city-states, each with its own ruler. These city-states were highly advanced in agriculture, pottery, hieroglyph writing, calendar-making, and mathematics, and left behind an astonishing amount of impressive architecture and symbolic artwork.

Preclassic Period

The Preclassic period (c. 2000 BC to 250 AD) saw the foundational stages of the Mayan civilization with the establishment of the first settlements and the development of agriculture which allowed for the growth of complex societies.

Classic Period

The Classic period (c. 250 AD to 900 AD) is considered the height of the Maya civilization, characterized by the construction of monumental architecture, the development of the Mayan calendar, and significant advances in mathematics and astronomy.

Postclassic Period

The Postclassic period (c. 900 AD to 1500s AD) witnessed the decline of the Maya civilization. This period saw the rise and fall of several powerful city-states, such as Chichen Itza and Mayapan, and ended with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors.

Culture

The Maya were deeply religious, and their society was centered around a complex pantheon of deities who were involved in every aspect of nature and human life. Mayan art is also notable for its sophistication, as well as its portrayal of both the divine and the mundane. The Maya excelled in pottery, painting, sculpture, and weaving, and used their knowledge of astronomy and mathematics to create calendars.

Achievements

1. 1. 1. Mathematics###

The Maya developed a sophisticated number system that included the concept of zero, a rare feat among ancient civilizations. Their mathematics was vigesimal (base-20), which they used in various aspects of life, including the development of their calendar.

1. 1. 1. Astronomy###

The Maya had an advanced understanding of celestial bodies and used this knowledge to create their calendar system. They could predict solar eclipses, and their calendar remains one of the most accurate pre-telescopic calendars ever created.

1. 1. 1. Writing System###

The Maya script is the only known fully developed writing system of the pre-Columbian Americas. It was a combination of phonetic syllabic symbols and logograms, making it a very sophisticated form of writing.

Religion

Mayan religion was characterized by the worship of nature gods, the creation of elaborate ceremonial architectures, and the performance of human sacrifice. The Maya believed in a cyclical nature of time and their rituals and ceremonies were closely associated with celestial and terrestrial cycles.

Decline

The decline of the Mayan civilization is a subject of much debate among historians. Factors such as warfare, overpopulation, environmental degradation, and drought have been suggested as possible causes for the collapse of many Mayan city-states.

Legacy

Today, the descendants of the Maya still live in Central America, maintaining many of the traditions and practices of their ancestors. The ruins of the ancient cities have become important archaeological sites and tourist attractions, helping to preserve the rich heritage of the Maya civilization.