Mayan Culture and History

Culture

Why one of the greatest civilizations on earth collapsed is a mystery. From about 2000 BC until 1500 AD, the area it occupied was very large, extending all the way from modern New Mexico south to Honduras, El Salvador, most of Guatemala, and Belize. Enormous temples, pyramids and cities still inspire awe in tourists who visit the ruins. It made up a very complex social and political order. Tikal, Guatemala, is a good place to see the details of this culture, which excelled in so many different fields. It’s at Tikal where you can see evidence of the culture’s extraordinary achievements.

Today’s descendants are called the Indigenous and make up more than 50% of the population of Guatemala. Currently, the culture thrives and is vibrant. The women and children wear traditional dress that reflects their own region. Weaving was always a part of the culture and it survives today and is famous all over the world.

The huipils (blouses) range from lightweight fabric with embroidery around the neck and sleeves to heavily embroidered garments that are worn as coats in the chilly mountain areas. Knowledge of the various regions is needed to identify the patterns and colors. When they all come together as they do at the markets, a field of wildflowers is not more colorful or beautiful. Antique huipils sometimes bring very high prices.

They also create baskets and pottery. Their carved wood animals, saints, and chests are treasured by tourists and collectors. The market at Chichicastenango is alive and swarming with vendors and visitors every Thursday and Sunday. Not too far from Lake Atitlan, another, more typical Mayan market can be found.

History

This civilization, the best-known of the classical ones of Mesoamerica, originated in the Yucatan in 2600 BC or thereabouts. By AD 250, they had become prominent in what is now southern Mexico, Guatemala, western Honduras, El Salvador, and northern Belize.

Foundational civilizations were the Olmec and others, and the Mayans went on to develop such things as astronomy, a calendar, and hieroglyphics. They have left relics of elaborate, highly-decorated ceremonial architecture that continues to draw tourists from around the world. Examples of their architecture can be seen in temple-pyramids, elaborate palaces, and observatories, all built with no metal tools.

The Mayans were also successful at farming. They cleared huge sections of tropical rain forests, erecting large underground reservoirs to store rainwater for their fields. They developed extensive trade routes to market their products.

It’s generally believed that the first ancestors came across the Bering Strait at least 20,000 years ago. These people were nomadic and were hunter-gatherers. Settlements in Mexico were in the Archaic period from 5000 to 1500 BC. In these settlements, corn was cultivated and basic pottery and stone tools were created and used.

In the pre-classic period around 1500 BC to 300 AD, the Olmecs put together what is considered the first true civilization in this ethic group. They settled on the Gulf Coast, but not much is known about them. The relationship between the Olmecs and the Mayans is not clear, whether the Mayans were their descendants or only trading partners. It is clear, however, that the Mayan calendar and hieroglyphics are based on Olmec versions.

The Classic Period, from 300-900 was the time of the most artistic and cultural achievement. The society was arranged according to class and profession. Governments were centralized with a king at the head and boundaries were distinctly defined.

Major cities of the Classic Period were Tikal in Guatemala; Palenque and Yaxchil in Chiapas, Mexico; and Cop and Quirigua in Honduras. There was a decline in the 9th century of population centers in the central lowlands. It is believed that famine, drought, trade interruptions, and a breakdown of the political structure brought on this decline. What followed were urban centers that sprang up in the Northern Yucatan.

The Post-Classic Period from 1000 to 1500 AD saw war between rival Mayan groups; and by the Post Columbian Period, the Spaniard were invading. The Mayans were slaughtered by the invading Spaniards, but the real killers were the European diseases. Miraculously, some Mayans have survived until today, and the culture has remained amazingly intact. Many still speak their own language but most are able to speak Spanish as a second language.