What Happened to the Mayans | Maya History Explained

Summary

The Maya civilization thrived for thousands of years before mysteriously collapsing. Originating from Siberia, they expanded across Central America, developing advanced agriculture and trade. The 'Golden Age' saw 40 bustling cities, but by 900 A.D., the southern lowlands were abandoned. Theories suggest internal warfare, climate disasters, or overpopulation as potential causes. Today, their descendants continue to live in the region, preserving a rich cultural heritage.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Maya civilization is a subject of enduring fascination, with theories about its collapse still debated among historians.
• 🏰 The Maya are believed to have originated in present-day Guatemala around 11,000 B.C., possibly via a land bridge from Siberia.
• 🌱 The civilization developed through five major periods, starting with the Pre-Classic or Formative Period around 1800 B.C., marked by village and agriculture organization.
• 🏙️ The Classic Period, also known as the 'Golden Age,' began around 250 A.D. and saw the civilization flourish with cities like Tikal and Palenque.
• 🌾 Agriculture was central to the Maya economy, with corn being the most important crop, and trade routes established for goods like cotton, slaves, and tools.
• 🏞️ The Maya were skilled in adapting to diverse environments, utilizing resources like underground rivers and rainwater collection systems in regions without natural water sources.
• 🏛️ The Maya civilization was characterized by city-states, each ruled by lords and kings, and engaged in both trade and warfare.
• 🔮 Religion and rituals were integral to Maya culture, with practices like blood sacrifice and human sacrifice aimed at appeasing various gods.
• 💔 The civilization began to decline around the end of the eighth century, with southern lowland cities mysteriously abandoned by A.D. 900.
• 📚 The Maya are renowned for their advanced astronomy and mathematics, including the development of a highly accurate calendar system.
• 🌳 Despite the collapse, the Maya people survived and continue to thrive, with descendants making up a significant portion of the population in countries like Guatemala and Mexico.

Q & A

Who were the Maya and what is the mystery surrounding their civilization?

The Maya were a civilization that thrived in present-day Guatemala, Mexico, and parts of Central America. The mystery surrounding their civilization is why they suddenly collapsed and disappeared, despite having endured for thousands of years.

When did the Maya civilization begin to take root and thrive?

The Maya civilization began to take root and thrive around 2,000 B.C.

What were the five major periods in the history of the Maya?

The five major periods in the history of the Maya are the Pre-classic or Formative Period, the Middle Pre-Classic Period, the Classic Period (also known as the Golden Age), the Terminal-classic or Period of Disaster, and the Post-Classic Period.

What were the main sources of water for the Maya in regions without natural water sources?

In regions without natural water sources, the Maya used ingenuity to supply their large populations. They used massive systems of cisterns called chultuns to collect and store rainwater and devised vast aqueduct systems in cities like Palenque.

What was the primary crop in the Maya economy and what other crops did they grow?

The primary crop in the Maya economy was corn. They also grew red and black beans, squash, chilies, tobacco, and other crops.

What forms of payment were used in the Maya civilization?

The Maya civilization used a variety of payment forms based on trade rather than monetary units. Smaller purchases were paid for with commodities like fish, maize, salt, while larger purchases might be paid with gold, silver, or other luxury goods.

What was the role of the head of a polity in the Maya civilization during the Pre-Classic Period?

During the Pre-Classic Period, the head of a polity in the Maya civilization was expected to be a fearless warrior, often depicted with trophy heads hanging from their belts.

What were the main aspects of Mayan religious rituals and ceremonies?

The main aspects of Mayan religious rituals and ceremonies included blood sacrifice and bloodletting, human sacrifice, and various rituals for marriage, divination, and baptism. These ceremonies often coincided with calendar cycles and special events.

What is the significance of the Mayan calendar and its accuracy?

The Mayan calendar is significant for its almost eerie accuracy. It was developed before the birth of Christ and is still considered the most accurate in existence. The Maya were the first to calculate that a year was not 365 days long but 364.25 days, and they also calculated the journey of Venus through the heavens took precisely 583.92 days.

What are some theories about the collapse of the Maya civilization?

Some theories about the collapse of the Maya civilization include internal warfare between city-states, extreme and prolonged drought or other climate-related disasters, a cataclysmic event like a volcanic eruption or an asteroid collision, and over-population leading to depletion of resources.

What is the current status of the Maya people and their descendants?

Today, the descendants of the Maya comprise nearly 40% of the population of Guatemala and still live in modern-day Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico. They continue to preserve their history, culture, and heritage.