MAYAN HISTORY
Location
The Mayan empire can be defined within the geographical boundaries of Guatemala, Belice, El Salvador, Honduras and five Mexican states; Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Campeche, and Chiapas. Its territorial extension is approximately 500,000 square km.
Who were the MAYAS?
The Mayas were one of the most prosperous and powerful cultures known in Mesoamerica; their civilization lasted a period of 3,000 years. They developed a written language; they were very skillful architects, merchants and magnificent handcrafters. Their civilization developed inside an agricultural society and had complex religious systems in which they worshipped the cosmos. The royal dynasties included governors who built exotic temples and managed ceremonial places which still stand.
Primarily the Mayas settled on 1500 AC and developed small villas, beliefs, planting methods, jewellery and clothing production etc., all which gave origin to the Maya Civilization.
The Maya civilization began constructing ceremonial centres circa 200 BC. These included spaces for ball games, public squares, temples, pyramids, etc. The Mayas also developed the most sophisticated calendar and glyph systems. Their customs on number usage was extraordinary, and eventually led the Mayas to develop the number zero.
Mayans also practiced the agricultural method of slash and burn but at the same time they used irrigation methods. Their crops’ quality was highly influenced by their overall agricultural techniques.
Their history can be divided into phases, or periods, each one determined by the time’s characteristics such as social structure, traditions, advances and development.
1. Mayan Archaic period
Mayan history starts with the geographical setting of the first groups forming social structures and leaving their nomad lifestyle (which constantly led to migration) behind.
2. Preclassical Period (Olmec influence on Teotihuacan)
The second Mayan historic period (namely, Preclassical Period) displays an even deeper social consistency. Likewise, constant interaction and participation with other cultures of the region heightened the already extensive Mayan knowledge on science, religion, culture, and engineering. The Preclassical Period ranges from the years 2000 BC to 250 AD
3. Classical Mayan Period
Although Mayan cities weren’t fully developed at the same rate, this period is recognized as the one of greatest cultural growth, presenting a social force as well as a strong military force in important cities, mainly in Northern Peten (Guatemala) and close Mexican territories. The Classical period ranges from 250 to 900 DC.
4. Post-Classical Period
Constant war, cities confronting each other and economic difficulties, among others, were some factors that highly affected Mayan power and its civilization’s consistency, same that, took a high price in a crucial moment, when Spaniards arrived in 1524 to conquer their lands. This way, Post-Classical period ranges from 900 to 1500 DC.
The Mayas reached their prime during the Classical Period, point where some of their most brilliant achievements came to be. By the time the Europeans arrived at the Americas, the Mayan empire had disappeared, shrouded in mystery, and what little remained was dispersed and weak. Several Mayan groups, nonetheless, continued to defend their land of birth against invaders, utterly refusing to renounce their ancient customs. The Spanish dominion was not sufficient to wipe out Maya language, traditional vestitures, or religious ceremonies. Tourists have the advantage, thus, to meet a more modern era of the Mayan culture.
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