The Ancient Civilization Of The Maya
The Ancient Civilization of the Mayan People is one of the most developed ever in the development of human kind. They are noted for being the only pre-Columbian society with a fully written language. In addition to that the ancient civilization of the Maya developed a sophisticated calendar, mathematical and astronomical system. The ancient Mayans also built monumental cities and had spectacular art.
When Ancient Civilization of the Mayan is looked at you can see three clear periods that mark its progression and eventual decline. Those periods are the pre-classic, classic and post classic. The pre-classic period dates from 1800 BC to 250 AD. The classic period dates from at approximately 250 AD to 900 AD. The Post Classic is dated from 900 AD to around 1500 AD. From the 1500’s marks the invasion of the Spanish Conquistadors unto Mayan Soil.
Geographically the Mayan region extended through Northern Central America including the present day nations of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador. The Southern states of Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula were also part of the Mayan Empire. The Ancient Civilization of the Maya classifies these territories into three areas: The southern Mayan highlands, the southern or central lowlands and the northern lowlands. The ancient Mayan empire was not one land under one rule. It was independent states that were bound together because of the same cultural background. Today you find Mayan descendents through out these areas.
The pre-classic period of the ancient civilization of the Maya is noted because this is when the Maya started forming sedentary villages. The homes were made out of poles and thatched roofs. Prior to that they were nomadic hunters and gatherers. This period also showed their use of fired pottery and clay figurines as well as making tools out of obsidian. There is also archeological evidence that the Mayans started their architecture around this period as well. At around 500 BC enormous pyramids were built in El Mirador, Cival and near Tikal near Guatemala. Life in the pre-classic period of the ancient civilization of the Mayan laid the foundation for the basic patterns of life for the total Mayan Ancient Civilization. During the Classic Period the Ancient Civilization of the Mayan became much more complex. Trade and warfare became more prevalent. Distinct ruling classes began to emerge. Thus the classic period gave way to social classes. The ruling classes were composed of family and nobility that kept its rein through heredity. At the top of the social classes was the king who inherited his position. They also served as the priests. Thus politics and religion went hand in hand. The lowlands were where the common classes lived in cities. They sustained the ruling class by paying them goods and labor. The ancient civilization of the Mayan started to collapse before the post classic period. No one really knows why the Mayan Empire fell apart but speculation is given that it was both natural environmental factors and non-environmental factors that contributed to the ending of the ancient Mayan civilization. Natural causes include natural disasters such as droughts and floods depending on the region, epidemic diseases and changes in climate. Non-environmental causes include foreign invasion, peasant revolt and trade route break down. All this occurred even before the Spanish set foot on Mayan soil. Once they arrived they systematically tried to wipe out the Mayan as best they could.
Mayan Civilization Ancient Maya History
| 