The 10 Features of the Most Important Maya

The Characteristics of the Maya They range from a developed system of numbering or writing knowledge about astronomy to a culture that embraces a very particular and recognizable architecture and art.

The Maya were an ancient civilization that spread throughout much of Mesoamerica (mainly southern Mexico and northern Central America, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Belize).

Characteristics of the Maya, a civilization with a very rich culture

Established during the pre-Classic period, many of the Mayan cultural characteristics reached their apogee of development during the following classical period (250-900), when numerous Mayan cities flourished in much of Central America, and continued throughout the Postclassic period to Arrival of the Spaniards in the sixteenth century.

In its heyday, the Mayan civilization was one of the societies with more population density and greater cultural dynamism of the world.

Among the numerous cities found throughout the Mayan world, each had its own individual wonders that made them unique. Mayan pyramid

Such is the case of Tikal, known for its pyramids and for having been one of its most powerful kingdoms. Also, Copán, located in the present Honduras, and known for its"Temple of the Hieroglyphic Staircase"; Or Palenque, another Mayan city especially known for its"Temple of Inscriptions","Temple of the skull"and"The Palace".

While the Mayan culture shared many characteristics with other Mesoamerican cultures , Like the Olmec, Zapotec or Aztec, also retained some totally distinctive characteristics.

For example, the Mayan civilization is known for having developed the only complete written language of pre-Columbian America, as well as for its spectacular art, monumental architecture and sophisticated mathematical and astronomical systems.

The arrival of the Spaniards brought about a profound change in the Mayan world, decimating their civilization due to the diseases that they brought.

However, to this day, and despite the devastation they experienced, the Mayan civilization did not disappear. While many cities were abandoned about 1,100 years ago, other cities, such as Chichen Itza, grew in their place.

Main characteristics of the Mayan culture

The form of government of the Mayas had a theocratic origin

There are many common features between the Mayan civilization and other Mesoamerican civilizations given the cultural interaction and diffusion that existed throughout the region. Although writing, epigraphy and the calendar did not originate with the Maya, they developed and perfected it.

1- Religion

The Maya were Polytheists , And their different gods embodied the different forces of nature. The Mayan civilization depended on maize, the Mayan god of maize being a deity among the citizens.

Mayan religion focuses on the cyclical nature of time, on constant birth, death, and renewal. Religion was central and a vital component of Mayan life.

Mayan rituals follow the terrestrial and celestial cycles, of which the Mayan priests were expert in their reading.

2- Mathematics

The 10 Features of the Most Important Maya

The Maya excelled in their use of mathematics, invented a vigesimal numbering system, especially as an instrument for measuring time.

3- Ball game

The sacred ball game, besides being a socio-cultural and sporting activity, constituted a religious and political ritual in which its participants played the life.

4- Architecture

The Coba Temple is one of the main Mayan ceremonial centers. The Coba Temple is one of the main Mayan ceremonial centers.

Mayan cities were characterized by their stepped pyramids, large plazas and palaces built for kings and nobles.

In all the Mayan zones are monuments of carved stone called stelae, sculpted in low relief to celebrate the life and the facts of the Mayan rulers and the nobles.

The Maya builders invented the curved arch, giving luminosity and spaciousness to the rooms of their temples and palaces.

5- Writing system

The Maya developed a complex writing system that represented their spoken language, the only fully developed writing system of a culture of Stone age .

Maya writing was based on more than a thousand hieroglyphs or symbols that could represent a syllable or a word. In addition, they wrote books called codices made of bark paper and folded like an accordion.

6- Art

Mayan clothing

The Mayan art of the Classical Era is often considered the most sophisticated and beautiful of the ancient New World.

The carvings and reliefs of stucco found in Palenque, as well as the collection of statues found in Copan are especially fine, standing out for its grace and detail of the human form.

There are also some examples of funerary pottery and other Maya ceramics, and some murals have been found in which, thanks to the decipherment of Mayan writing, it has been discovered that the artists attached their name to their work.

Maybe you might be interested The 10 most important cultural contributions of the Maya.

7- Human sacrifices

Like the Aztecs, though to a lesser extent, the Maya practiced human sacrifices. Self-sacrifice or bloodshed was common among rulers, priests, and nobles.

8- Astronomy and calendar

Mayan calendar with the kaqchikel year system

The astronomical observations of the Maya were quite accurate, denoting the movements of the planets, particularly Venus, and the Sun and Moon.

From their excellent astronomical notes, the Maya built and perfected the Mesoamerican calendar, which included both the sacred ritual calendar of 260 days and the 365-day solar calendar with the long count calendar.

9- Agriculture and trade

Agriculture and food harvesting were a central part of everyday life, but the Maya also had a system of trade and trade routes, exporting different products, such as honey, cotton or cocoa.

Although they did not develop coinage, they used various objects in the form of money, such as beans or cocoa beans.

In addition, other economic activities , Such as hunting, fishing and harvesting, improving the agricultural system, and irrigation techniques through channels.

The economy was very simple, since production depended on family requirements, but little by little a division of labor developed, which gave rise to the differentiation of social classes.

10- Socio-political organization

The 10 Features of the Most Important Maya

Mayan rulers managed the production and distribution of goods, whose acquisition was based on prestige and power.

The workers were subject to a labor tax to build palaces, temples and public works. A successful ruler in the war could control more workers and demand tribute to defeated enemies, further increasing their economic power.

The Maya civilization was never unified, but rather consisted of numerous small states, ruled by kings, each apparently centered on a city.

Sometimes a stronger Mayan state dominated a weaker state and demanded tribute and labor from it.

You may be interested How is the social organization of the Maya? .

References

  1. New World Encyclopedia contributors,"Mayan civilization"in: New World Encyclopedia (26 March, 2016) Retrieved: 8 May 2017 from New World Encyclopedia newworldencyclopedia.org.
  2. "Mayan history. Maya"in: Lost civilizations. Retrieved on: May 8, 2017 from Lost Civilizations www.lost-civilizations.net.
  3. "The Mayan Culture"(May 2007) in: Mayan Culture. Recovered in: May 8, 2017 of Mayan Culture: culturamaya.unblog.fr.
  4. "Distinctive Features of the Maya Culture"(July, 2007) in: History on the Net: Mayans. Retrieved on 8 May 2017 from History on the Net. Historyonthenet.com.
  5. Jarus, O."The Maya: History, Culture & Religion"(December, 2013) in Live Science: History. Retrieved in May 2017 from Live Science livescience.com.
  6. García, R."Comparative analysis between the Mayan culture and the culture of Teotihuacán"in: History of Art. Retrieved on May 8, 2017 from Historia del Arte historiadelartemesoamericolonia.jimdo.com.
  7. Wylie, R."What really wrecked the Mayan civilization?"(8 March 2016) BBC World Recovered on 8 May 2017 from BBC World bbc.com.
  8. "12 Interesting Facts About The Ancient Mayans"(Nov. 2012) in Educating Humanity retrieved on May 8, 2017 from Educating Humanity. Educatinghumanity.com.
  9. Sanz, E."6 things you should know the Mayans"in Muy Historia: Middle Ages Recovered on May 8, 2017 from Muy Historia muyhistoria.es.
  10. Minster, C."Politics of the Ancient Maya. Mayan City-State Structure and Kings"(March, 2017) at: Thought.Co: Humanities, History & Culture. Retrieved on May 8, 2017 from Thought.Co thoughtco.com.


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