The rise, fall and treasures of the ancient Mayan Civilization

The Mayan civilization is the general name given to several independent, loosely affiliated city states who shared a cultural heritage in terms of language, customs, dress, artistic style and material culture. They occupied the central American continent, including the southern parts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, an area of about 150,000 square miles.

It is noted for the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as its art, architecture, mathematical and astronomical systems.

The Maya thrived for nearly 2,000 years. Without the use of the cartwheel or metal tools, they built massive stone structures. They were accomplished scientists. They tracked a solar year of 365 days and one of the few surviving ancient Maya books contains tables of eclipses.

They developed their own mathematics, using a base number of 20, and had a concept of zero. They also had their own system of writing.

Their civilization was so stable and established, they even had a word for a 400-year time period.

The geographic extent of the Mayan civilization, known as the Maya area, extended throughout the southern Mexican states of Chiapas, Tabasco, and the Yucatán Peninsula states of Quintana Roo, Campeche and Yucatán.

The Maya area also extended throughout the northern Central American region, including the present-day nations of Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and western Honduras.

Mayan language: The various groups throughout the region spoke nearly 30 closely related languages and dialects, including the Mayan and Huastec.

Writing: The Maya had 800 distinct hieroglyphs, with the first evidence of language written on stela and walls of buildings beginning ca 300 BC. Bark cloth paper codexes were being used no later than the 1500s, however all but a handful were destroyed by the Spanish.

Astronomy: The Maya tracked the sun, moon, and Venus. Calendars include eclipse warnings and safe periods, and almanacs for tracking Venus.

Currency: Cacao beans, copper bells, marine shells and jade beads.

Warfare: The Maya had fortified sites and military themes and battles are illustrated in Maya art by the Early Classic period. Warrior classes, including some professional warriors, were part of the Maya society. Wars were fought over territory and slaves to avenge insults and to establish succession.

Weaponry: Axes, clubs, maces, throwing spears, shields and helmets, bladed spears.

Ritual sacrifice: Offerings thrown into cenotes, and placed in tombs; the Maya pierced their tongues, earlobes, genitals or other body parts for blood sacrifice. Animals (mostly jaguars) were sacrificed, and there were human victims, including high ranking enemy warriors who were captured, tortured and sacrificed.

The art of the Maya, is a reflection of their lifestyle and culture.

Many consider art of the Mayan Classic Era (c. 250 to 900 AD) to be the most sophisticated and beautiful of the ancient New World. The carvings and the reliefs made of stucco at Palenque and the statuary of Copán are especially fine, showing a grace and accurate observation of the human form that reminded early archaeologists of Classical civilizations of the Old World, hence the name bestowed on this era.

There are many theories that try and explain the mystery embedded within the context of the Fall of the Mayan Civilization. Not only have there been numerous expeditions to the region, but also various studies done to prove the reasons for the fall. Some of the reasons for this fall include a shrinking of the rain forests in the region, uncontrolled warfare, a disintegrating agricultural system, over population, warfare, and drought. Some historians even believe that all of these things could have been a factor in the destruction of this once vast civilization.

It should be noted that, although the "Fall" of the Mayan civilization is commonly assumed to be between 800 A.D. and 900 A.D., this period merely describes a time where Maya's peak had ended and its most populated cities were abandoned. Mayan civilization is believed to have survived at least until the time of Christopher Columbus.

The Maya Calendar depicted here was called "the Haab", the Maya solar calendar of 365 days. It was divided into 18 months of 20 days each with a period of 5 days left over at the end of the year. This short 5 day month is called Uayeb, "the resting or sleep of the year".

This calendar sculpture shows the Maya God of Time at the center, supporting the burden of time on his back. He is surrounded by the hieroglyphs of the 19 months.

Mayan Calendar Wall Plaque - Great Mayan art for your home

Tikal, Mexico. 900 AD, Maya

This Maya mask shows the different stages of life as part of a never ending cycle of human evolution through life and the afterlife as it was understood by the Mayans. The mask has three layered faces, each representing one particular stage of life. The inner face represents the beginning of life at birth. The middle face is the most important one since it represents the adult stage when the person comes into his full potential and most of his life experiences happened. The outer or third face represents the end of earthly life.

This sacred time was viewed by the Maya as the end of one cycle and the beginning of another one. Death was followed by lavish preparations for the next life.

Mask of Death and Rebirth Wall Plaque