Maya Civilization: Culture and Society
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MAYACULTURE
The Maya culture was a pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilization, known
for having developed a unique written language known in America
pre-Columbian, as well as for its art, architecture, and mathematical systems
astronomical. The Maya civilization was established during the Pre-
Classic (2000 B.C. to 250 A.D.), according to the chronology of Mesoamerica,
many Maya cities reached their greatest development as states during the
Classical period (250 AD to 900 AD) and continued throughout the entire period of
Post-Classical until the arrival of the Spanish.
Maya Civilization: The Mayans at their peak were one of the societies
more densely populated and culturally dynamic in the world.
Maya civilization shares many characteristics with other civilizations
Mesoamericans due to the high degree of interaction and cultural diffusion that
characterizes the region (Central America. currently). Cultural advancements
Since writing, epigraphy, and the calendar do not originate with the Maya; without
embargo, their civilization fully developed. The Maya influence can
to be detected in the current countries of Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and
Mexico.
The Maya people never disappeared, not even at the time of the decline.
population (demographic) of the Mesoamerican Classic period nor with the arrival
of the Spanish conquistadors and the subsequent Spanish colonization of the
Americas. Today, the Mayans and their descendants form populations
considerable in the entire Mayan area and maintain a set of traditions
and distinctive beliefs that are the result of the fusion of customs and ideas
pre-Columbian and post-Conquest. Many of the Mayan languages continue
being spoken as main languages today; The Rabinal Achí is a work
literary written in Achí language (Mayan language) representative of the culture
Prehispanic Maya. The original name in Maya of the Rabinal Achí is Xajooj Tun.
what does Dance of the Tun (drum) mean. It is a dynastic drama of the Kek' Maya that
data from the 15th century, and a rare example of pre-Hispanic traditions. The work
Rabinal Achí was declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of
Humanity, in 2005 by UNESCO.
Geographic Location
The Maya lived in the south and southeast of Mexico (which corresponds to the
states of Yucatán, Campeche, Tabasco, Quintana Roo and the eastern area of
Chiapas) and in parts of Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize. This extensive territory
it covered approximately 350,000 km2.
Social Organization of the Mayans
The organization of society was quite rigid and was guided by the
the presence of three social classes. At the top of the social pyramid is
the Mayan ruler, his family, high-ranking officials, and the wealthy
merchants. Then came the other public officials and the
specialized workers. At the base of the social pyramid were the
peasants, the workers and prisoners of war (slaves).
Political Organization of Maya Culture
The Mayans seem to have had a decentralized government, their territory
it was divided into independent states, although in recent times, there was
chieftains who ruled various urban centers.
Each city-state was governed by a Maya chief (Halach Uinik), who accounted
with the attendance of a council that included the main chiefs and priests.
Among the leaders stood out the Batab, civil chief of a locality, and the Nacom.
military chiefs. The priestly class was divided into two groups. The first was responsible for
the religious cult and the second was devoted to the arts and sciences.
Maya Writing
The Maya writing system usually referred to as hieroglyphics by a vague
similar to the writing of Ancient Egypt with which it is not related, it was a
combination of phonetic symbols and ideograms. It is the only writing system
of pre-Columbian America that can fully represent language
spoken in the same.
Conclusion:
The Maya people were characterized by their large political, economic, and
religious. They developed as one of the most important cultures of the
ancient Mesoamerica; it is a direct heir to Olmec culture and began in the
pre-classical period. He also stood out for his interest in the sciences, which
grew as a culture; its architecture was likewise a symbol of its
greatness. Mayan culture is found in the southeast region of Mexico,
also covering territories of Guatemala and Honduras, El Salvador and Belize; in
all of them have discovered Mayan ruins, which are a testament to skill
Artistic. The Mayan civilization began around the year 1500 B.C.
and disappeared around 900 AD for reasons still unknown.
This civilization is one of the most important as the Mayans left us many
things one of them is the Aztec calendar, another of them is their culture, their language,
habits and their gods similarly left us their astronomy and a bit of their
wisdom.
In fact, it is my favorite culture as they have left us a lot of technology today.
that until our times we use such as gastronomy, ceramics,
sculptures and their sacrifices.