Mayan Culture: One Of The Oldest On The Planet
The Mayan Culture was and still is one of the oldest most developed indigenous cultures on the planet. There are artifacts dating Mayan culture from 2500 BC to 1600 BC. Mayan Evolution is broken down into distinct periods including their cultural development. The pre-classic period dates from 1600 BC to 250 AD, The classic period dates from 250 to 900 AD and the post classic period dates from 900 to about 1542. This time frames note distinct cultural and social changes that developed in Mayan existence and evolution.
For the most part Mayan Culture revolved around their religious beliefs. The worshipping of Deities and forces of nature characterized the Mayan Culture. Culturally the Mayan territories were divided into three areas: The North, Central and Southern Regions. As such the Mayan Civilization was not one unified Area but rather separate states that shared a common cultural background. They resembled Greece in that artistically and religiously they were a nation, but politically functioned as independent states.
In pre classic Mayan Civilization Mayan culture revolved around hunting and gathering. Agriculture was developing the slash and burn system and hunting weapons were developed with arrowheads made of obsidian and flint. In the late pre-classic period writing was developed as well as the first calendars and limestone constructions. Altars and temples were erected, two-dimensional mythical scenes were painted and Mayan math and astronomy were developed.
Artifacts found show how everyday life and Mayan Culture was depicted. To Mayan science and religion were one and the same so their system of mathematics and astronomy were applied to their rituals and ceremonies. The rulers of Mayan territories were believed to be the intermediaries between the gods and people thus being considered semi-divine them selves. Self-mutilization and human sacrifice was an important aspect of Mayan culture. The higher one’s position the more self-mutilization was expected of him. The Mayan believed if these rituals were ignored that chaos on earth would ensue for not nourishing the gods. Other religious rituals involved dramatic performance, dance, competitions, ball games and prayer for the gods. All of these included a sacrifice of some multitude. The rulers and priests were many times one and the same. Mayan culture was developed based on the division of classes, primarily the ruling class and farming classes. There were also educated nobility who served as scribes, artists and architects. Slavery also existed. Slaves were primarily captures of war and their children, as well as illegitimate and orphaned children. There were provincial governors who were nobles from four royal families. Rulers of towns and villages formed an order of lower nobility that were not of royal lineage. Society was organized by a male clan system, as was the king’s family of rulers. The oldest male heir to the king would be next in line to rule and either become the head priest in addition to the king or appoint the head priest from this lineage as well. Only lords were military Commanders to which a lesser commander was assigned. Children of the common people were trained in the trades of their parents. In Mayan culture it was the children of nobility who were highly educated. Under the care of priests they learned writing, music, history, war and religion. Daughters of the nobility were strictly secluded. Older boys in the villages slept and lived in public buildings erected just for them. Children were their parent’s subjects until they were of marring age. For boys marring age was around 20 years old. No one could marry out of his or her class without permission from a chief from that district. The Mayan civilization is known for its pyramids, sculpted stone pillars, plazas and temples. They had hieroglyphics, pottery, mathematics, astronomy and calendars all of which reflected their cultural and religious practices and beliefs. Mayan culture was developed from a very organized society in which everyone’s role was clearly defined.
Mayan Civilization Ancient Maya History
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