Mayan civilization
The Maya civilization is one of the first and most advanced civilizations that arose in the region of present-day Mexico and Central America. The roots of this civilization go back to the second millennium BC, and it flourished during the period extending between the third and ninth centuries AD.
Talking about the “ancient Maya” refers to the history of one of the most important cultures of Central America in the pre-Columbian era, because it has a well-known and important scientific and astronomical legacy worldwide. Their civilization contributed many advantages to other civilizations in Central America due to the great interaction and dissemination of culture that characterized the region. Advances such as writing, inscription, and calendaring not only originated with the Maya but were fully developed. The influence of this civilization can be detected in Honduras and Belize. Guatemala and western El Salvador extend as far away as central Mexico, more than 1,000 km (620 mi) from the Maya area. Maya architectural and artistic ruins have been found outside the region, and it is believed that they are due to trade and cultural exchange.
The Maya people did not disappear completely, neither at the time of the decline of the Classic Period nor with the arrival of the Spanish conquest and colonization of the Americas. The Maya people currently constitute the majority of the population of all Maya regions, and they have preserved the distinctive traditions and beliefs that are the result of the fusion of ideas and cultures of the pre-Columbian and post-Columbian periods. Invasion. Currently millions of people speak different Mayan languages.
Mayan literature illustrates the life of this culture. Examples include the play Rabinal Ache, written in the Ache language, which was declared by UNESCO in 2005 as a masterpiece of the intangible oral heritage of humanity, the Popul Vuh literary works of historical legends, and the nine books of Chilam Balam. . What was destroyed by the Spanish invasion is a model of pre-Columbian civilization, which has an estimated three thousand years of ancient history.
the date
The history of the Maya civilization can be divided into three main phases:
1. Ancient Maya (2000 BC - 250 AD): This period is considered the beginning of the Maya civilization and its development. During this period, the first Maya cities arose and patterns of agriculture and urban planning began to emerge.
2. Classic Maya (250-900 AD): This period is considered the peak of the Maya civilization, as it witnessed tremendous development in the fields of art, architecture, writing, and astronomy. Important cities that arose during this period were: Tikal, Palenque, and Copan.
3. Late Maya (900-1539 AD): This period witnessed the decline of the Maya civilization and the collapse of most major cities. Researchers believe that the reasons for this decline are related to severe drought, lack of resources, and internal wars.
Contributions
Architecture
The Maya civilization was characterized by innovative architectural designs, including the Great Pyramid at Chitzen Itza and the Temple of the Raised Stairs at Tikal. They also had advanced engineering and construction skills, which led to the construction of complex urban centers that included temples, sports arenas, and palaces.
Writing
The Maya hieroglyphic language developed as a means of communicating and writing down history and important events. This writing is considered one of the oldest forms of writing in the world and is characterized by great complexity and artistic beauty.
Mathematics and astronomy
Maya scientists were distinguished by their abilities in the field of mathematics and astronomy, as they used a numerical system that contained zero and created a very accurate calendar. They also monitored the movements of the planets, moon, and planets and predicted solar and lunar eclipses. Astronomy was an important topic in the life of the Maya, as they believed that celestial bodies influenced their daily lives and destiny.
Religion and philosophy
The Maya civilization followed a polytheistic religion, where they worshiped many gods associated with nature and the elements such as the sun, rain, and agriculture. They also believed that there were multiple worlds connected to the human world and that death and birth were transitional stages between these worlds. They were also interested in human and animal sacrifices as a way to please their gods.
the art
The fields of Maya art varied to include sculpture, pottery, engravings, painting, and jewelry making. The works of art represented religious, social, and historical events with a distinctive artistic character that expressed the complexity and beauty of Maya culture.
Conclusion
The Maya civilization is considered one of the greatest civilizations that arose on Earth. They were ahead of their time in many fields such as architecture, writing, mathematics, astronomy and art. Despite their decline and the collapse of most of their cities, their monuments and contributions still exist and represent an important part of human heritage.
Source: websites