HISTÓRIA DA ARTE - ARTE PRÉ-COLOMBIANA - MAIAS PARTE 1

Summary

This video provides a fascinating exploration of the Maya civilization, covering key periods in its history: the Preclassic, Classic, and Postclassic. The Maya were organized into independent city-states, thriving especially during the Classic period. The lecture delves into the Maya writing system, their artistic achievements, and religious practices, such as ritual bloodletting. The video also discusses the mysterious decline of the Classic civilization around 900 CE and the survival of the Maya in the northern Yucatán. It offers insights into the civilization’s complex culture, rituals, and enduring legacy.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Maya civilization is divided into three main periods: Pre-classic (1000 BC to 250 AD), Classic (250 AD to 900 AD), and Post-classic (900 AD to 1521 AD).
• 😀 Most of the historical information about the Maya civilization comes from the Classic period.
• 😀 The Maya lived in independent city-states, unlike the centralized Aztec empire.
• 😀 The Maya developed a sophisticated writing system with pictograms and syllabic symbols, often referred to as Maya hieroglyphs.
• 😀 Between 800 and 925 AD, there was a transition in Maya society as cities declined and the population moved to rural areas. The reasons for this are still debated.
• 😀 Various theories exist about the collapse of the Maya cities, including revolts, earthquakes, diseases, and droughts.
• 😀 After the collapse of the southern cities, the Maya civilization continued to thrive in the northern part of the Yucatán Peninsula.
• 😀 Tulum and Chichen Itza are two significant cities from the Post-classic period of the Maya civilization.
• 😀 The arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century marked the end of the Maya civilization.
• 😀 The city of Ek Balam, an important Classic Maya city, features stone carvings that provide both historical images and writing, showcasing royal rituals and ceremonies.

Q & A

What are the three periods historians divide the history of the Maya civilization into?

The history of the Maya civilization is divided into three periods: the Pre-Classic (1000 BCE to 250 CE), the Classic (250 CE to 900 CE), and the Post-Classic (900 CE to 1521 CE).

Which period of the Maya civilization is most commonly studied and why?

The Classic period (250 CE to 900 CE) is most commonly studied because it was a time of great prosperity and development, and it is the period where much of the Maya civilization's achievements can be observed.

How were the Maya organized compared to the Aztecs?

The Maya were organized into small, independent city-states, unlike the Aztecs, who centralized their power into a large empire.

What type of writing system did the Maya develop?

The Maya developed a sophisticated writing system that included pictograms and symbols for syllables, often referred to as Maya hieroglyphs.

Why do some people avoid calling the Maya writing system 'hieroglyphs'?

Some people avoid calling the Maya writing system 'hieroglyphs' because the term is often associated with Egyptian writing, and they prefer to differentiate it as 'Maya glyphs'.

What significant event occurred between 800 and 925 CE in Maya society?

Between 800 and 925 CE, Maya society experienced a transition, marked by the decline of urban centers and a shift to rural life, the causes of which remain a subject of debate among historians.

What are some potential causes suggested for the sudden collapse of the Maya civilization?

Historians suggest that the collapse of the Maya civilization may have been caused by a combination of factors such as civil unrest, earthquakes, diseases, and prolonged droughts.

What happened to the Maya civilization after the Classic period?

After the Classic period, the Maya civilization continued to thrive in the northern part of the Yucatán Peninsula, where cities like Tulum and Chichen Itza emerged during the Post-Classic period.

What is the significance of the Maya city of Uaxactún?

Uaxactún, located near the southern edge of the Maya lowlands, was an important center during the Classic period, and its buildings, such as the ones with carved stone lintels, provide crucial insights into Maya rituals and history.

What does the carving of the Maya ruler and his queen at Uaxactún depict?

The carving at Uaxactún depicts a ritual bloodletting ceremony performed by the Maya ruler and his queen. The queen, using a rope with shards of glass, draws blood to communicate with gods and spirits, symbolizing the creation of humanity through divine sacrifice.