Mayan territory on the map. Ancient civilizations of Latin America

In pre-Columbian America there was a Mayan civilization, rightfully recognized as one of the brightest. Group of diverse Indian peoples numbering about 2.7 million lived in Mexico. There is a hypothesis that people settled America thirty thousand years ago, coming there from Asia.

Despite the fact that the Maya until the 10th century AD. e. they did not know how to cultivate the land with a plow and did not use artiodactyl animals in their activities, they had no wheeled carts and no idea about metals, they were constantly improving.

In particular, they mastered hieroglyphic writing. Using hieroglyphs, the Mayans wrote codices - books on a kind of paper. It is they who currently help scientists in the study of this civilization. The codes were first translated by the German scientist E. Forstemann at the end of the 19th century.

The Mayans understood the movements of the moon and the sun and predicted eclipses. Their calculations regarding the movements of Venus were also close to correct, the difference being only 14 seconds per year. They also began to use the concept of zero earlier than representatives of Arab countries and Indians.

The skillful combination of astronomical knowledge and writing helped tribes record time. Their counting systems, called Tzolkin and Tonalamatl, were based on the numbers 20 and 13. The roots of the first of them go back much earlier than the Mayans, however, it was they who perfected the system.

Art flourished in this civilization: they created beautiful sculptures, ceramics, erected majestic buildings and painted.

The art of the Mexican Indians reached its highest degree of development in antiquity in the time period from 250 to 900 AD. e., the so-called classical period. The most beautiful frescoes were found by researchers in the cities of Palenque, Copane and Bonampaque. Now they are equated to cultural monuments antiquity, because the ancient Mayan images are really not inferior to the latter in beauty. Unfortunately, many of the valuables have not survived to this day, destroyed either by time or by the Inquisition.

Architecture

The main motifs in Mayan architecture are deities, snakes and masks. Religious and mythological themes are reflected both in small ceramics and in sculptures and bas-reliefs. The Mayans created their works of art from stone, mainly using limestone.

The architecture of this people is majestic; it is characterized by massive, soaring facades of palaces and temples, and ridges on the roofs.

Mayan Studies

The Indians created cities using only muscular strength, built temples and palaces under the leadership of kings and priests, and carried out military campaigns. Unfortunately, now most Mayan cities have turned into ruins. They also had their own gods, whom they worshiped, and ritual sacrifices and ceremonies took place.

For a long time, scientists believed that no one lived permanently in the ceremonial centers, and the buildings were used only for performing rituals. But later it was proven that for the most part the palaces of the nobility and priests were built quite close to them.

Thanks to research into ceremonial centers, quite a lot of information was obtained regarding the life activity of the upper strata of Mayan society. In contrast, little was known about the lower classes. For example, the question of the life of farmers has not been sufficiently studied, but it was they who supported the ruling strata with the help of their labor. It is this side of Mayan life that is studied in currently archaeologists.

New research has allowed scientists to create a completely different chronology of this civilization. They found that the Maya are at least 1000 years older than previously thought. This was done thanks to radiocarbon dating of wooden products found by archaeologists. It has been proven that they were made in the period 2750 - 2450. BC e. Accordingly, the Mayan culture turned out to be older than the Olmec, which until that moment was considered the ancestor of the Maya and a number of other civilizations. Thus, the factor of influence of the Olmec culture was excluded and a hypothesis was put forward about a possible reverse influence. Thus, further research into the history of the continent will be required. After all, just one season of excavations could add a thousand years to the existence of the Mayans and more than one and a half to the prehistory of all of Mesoamerica.

The discoveries of archaeologists have made it possible to create a more accurate periodization due to a number of reasons, the main two of which are:

1. On the territory in large quantities Ceramics have been found that, using the most modern methods, make it possible to more accurately date the ancient culture.
2. Thanks to the hieroglyphic writing of the ancient Indians, it was possible to translate most of their records, comparing them with chronology, and then with the modern calendar. This helped determine, down to the month, the dates of special events for the Mayan civilization, the reigns of rulers and simply important personalities for history, their names, years of life.

Territory and climate

On the impressive territory (an area of ​​325 thousand square kilometers), which is now occupied by various states of Mexico and where the Mayans previously lived, several natural zones are actually distinguished. Each of them has its own climate, natural conditions, vegetation, relief, etc. That is, each natural zone represents a kind of ecological system. The first of the systems extended in a kind of semicircle to the south, capturing the southwest and southeast, the plateaus and mountain ranges of the Central American Cordillera. The second ecological system conventionally includes the valleys and hills around the Peten Basin in Guatemala, as well as the inland basin itself and the southern part of the Yucatan Peninsula. The last zone of Maya dislocation is the plain in the north of Yucatan. Spacious, covered with grass and bushes, it was also inhabited by ancient Indians.

Linguistic features of the Maya

To this day, 24 Mayan languages ​​have survived, the most important of which are united into language families, and these, in turn, into a common linguistic branch.

The Huastec language can still be heard to this day in one of the northern regions of the state of Veracruz, and it remains a mystery why native speakers ended up there. They emigrated to this place around 1200 BC. e. - even before the Mayan civilization arose. In addition to the Huastecs, who were located far beyond the Mayan area, there were other emigrants, but they basically remained in the same territory, as evidenced by the research of modern linguists. In their opinion, 2500 BC. e. in those places there was a community whose members spoke the proto-Mayan language. It was gradually divided into dialects, and their speakers were forced to emigrate. This is how the area of ​​life of the Mayan peoples was determined. And it became possible to divide their history directly into specific periods thanks to data from archaeological excavations.

Maya today

Today, the number of descendants of the ancient civilization on the Yucatan Peninsula is approximately 6.1 million, with approximately 40% of the Mayans living in Guatemala, and around 10% in Belize. The religious preferences of the Mayans have changed over time and now represent a combination of ancient traditions and Christian ones. Each modern Mayan community has its own patron. The form of donations has also changed, now it is candles, spices or poultry. A number of Mayan groups, wishing to stand out from others, have special motifs in their traditional clothing.

The Lecandon Mayans are known as the most preserved traditions of the group. Christianity has had little influence on this community, their clothing is characterized by a cotton composition and decorated with traditional motifs. But nevertheless, more and more Mayans are exposed to progress: they watch TV, drive cars, and dress in modern things. Moreover, the Mayans make money from tourism by talking about the traditions of their civilization.

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Some facts: First information: 250 AD (the rise of the Mayan civilization) Historical territory: Central America (southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize) Followers: Once up to two million. Today, most of the local population practices Catholicism, however a small part of the population still remains Old Believers. Texts: Dresden, Madrid, and Paris manuscripts; Books: Chilam Balam; Popol Vuh; Rituals Bacabs Main Mayan gods: Itzamná; Kukulcán (Quetzalcóatl); Bolon Tzacab; Chac Fundamentals of religion: Astronomy, divination, human sacrifice, polytheism, ritual [...]

Some facts: First information: 250 AD (the rise of the Mayan civilization) Historical territory: Central America (southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize) Followers: Once up to two million admirers of Mayan rites. Today, most of the local population practices Catholicism, however a small part of the population still remains Old Believers. Texts: Dresden, Madrid, and Paris manuscripts; Books: Chilam Balam; Popol Vuh; Rituals Bacabs Main Mayan gods: Itzamná; Kukulcán (Quetzalcóatl); Bolon Tzacab; Chac Fundamentals of religion: Astronomy, predictions, Mayan rituals, human sacrifices, [...]

Some facts: First information: 250 AD (the rise of the Mayan civilization) Historical territory: Central America (southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize) Followers: Once upon a time, the Mayan religion numbered up to two million admirers. Today, most of the local population practices Catholicism, however a small part of the population still remains Old Believers. Texts: Dresden, Madrid, and Paris manuscripts; Books: Chilam Balam; Popol Vuh; Rituals Bacabs Main Mayan gods: Itzamná; Kukulcán (Quetzalcóatl); Bolon Tzacab; Chac Fundamentals of religion: Astronomy, predictions, Mayan rituals, human sacrifices, [...]

Some facts: First information: 250 AD (the rise of the Mayan civilization) Historical territory: Central America (southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize) Followers: Once upon a time, the Mayan religion numbered up to two million admirers. Today, most of the local population practices Catholicism, however a small part of the population still remains Old Believers. Texts: Dresden, Madrid, and Paris manuscripts; Books: Chilam Balam; Popol Vuh; Rituals Bacabs Main Mayan gods: Itzamná; Kukulcán (Quetzalcóatl); Bolon Tzacab; Chac Fundamentals of religion: Astronomy, predictions, Mayan rituals, human sacrifices, polytheism, ritual [...]

Some facts: First information: 250 AD (the rise of the Mayan civilization) Historical territory: Central America (southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize) Followers: Once upon a time, Mayan beliefs numbered up to two million admirers. Today, most of the local population practices Catholicism, however a small part of the population still remains Old Believers. Texts: Dresden, Madrid, and Paris manuscripts; Books: Chilam Balam; Popol Vuh; Rituals Bacabs Main Mayan gods: Itzamná; Kukulcán (Quetzalcóatl); Bolon Tzacab; Chac Fundamentals of religion: Astronomy, predictions, Mayan rituals, human sacrifices, polytheism, [...]

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Like other civilizations, the Mayans created Mayan stories, legends and fables in which they interpreted, in their own unique way, the creation of the universe and the laws of life. Today, these stories, the stories of the Mayans, will allow us to get closer to one of the greatest civilizations that ever lived on our planet. The Mayans were famous for their skills as hunters, and then one day the most famous hunter in his tribe began [...]

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Palenque, like most Mayan cities, is located in a mountainous area, the Mayan city lies in the foothills of the Tumbala cliffs in Mexico, the mountain outcrop of Palenque overlooks marshy plains that extend far to the north all the way to the gulf coast. Perhaps it is Palenque's peculiar location between two worlds that gives the Mayan city its mystical charm, which attracts scientists and tourists [...]

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The Mayans, as Mayan customs say, were excellent athletes, they built the most magnificent stadiums for their games. For example, it is worth recalling the stadium in the city of Chichen Itza, 545 feet long and 225 feet wide in all directions. According to Mayan customs, the stadium does not have a foundation or fastening partitions between the walls; the stadium also does not have a roof; it is completely open [...]

Like other civilizations, the Mayans created stories, legends and fables in which they interpreted, in their own unique way, the creation of the universe and the laws of life. Mayan mythology was created. Today, these stories will allow us to get closer to one of the greatest civilizations that has ever lived on our planet. One day, the Rabbit decided to leave his hole in order to find food for himself. As luck would have it, it started to rain, [...]

And the gods gathered in Teotihuacan, the city of the gods, to discuss which of them would become the next Sun. Darkness surrounded them; dawn was far away. And the gods asked if there were any volunteers among them?! And Tecusiztecatl wanted to become this, but one volunteer was clearly not enough, especially since Tecusitztecatl, as the Mayan legends say, was scared. And then the gods asked [...]

Post-classic Mayan territory - Uxmal ("oosh-mahl", translated as "thrice built"), a city formed on the Yucatan Peninsula at the turn of the 9th/10th centuries. Uxmal is considered one of the most complex and beautiful examples architecture of Puuc, and for numerous tourists and travelers Uxmal is the main event in their journey. Puuc means "hilly side", the name of the hilly area in which [...]

The city is spectacularly perched on a cliff overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Tulum is a Mayan city that flourished until 1200 (the arrival of the Spaniards). The ruins of an ancient Mayan settlement, Tulum is the third most visited Mayan city in Mexico, after Teotihuacan and Chichen Itzi. The ruins of the city are located just 120 km from the popular resort of Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula. [...]

Kabah is a Mayan city on the Yucatan Peninsula, connected to the neighboring city of Uxmal by a ceremonial road. Its construction began around the 9th century AD (most of the buildings in the city are in the Puuc style). Kabah is best known for its palace, which is completely covered with masks of the rain god and images of the face of a hawk. The area around the city of Kabah began to be settled approximately [...]

Caracol, a major city in the Mayan civilization, flourished until the 7th century AD, today lies in ruins in west-central Belize on the border with Guatemala. The Mayan city, hidden in the jungle until 1938 (the discovery of Caracol), contains numerous pyramids, royal burial grounds, residential buildings and other structures. Caracol is the largest Mayan settlement in Belize. Once upon a time the city [...]

Like other civilizations, the Mayans created stories, Mayan legends and fables in which they interpreted, in their own unique way, the creation of the universe and the laws of life. Today, these stories will allow us to get closer to one of the greatest civilizations that has ever lived on our planet. Once upon a time, Sac Muyal stole a young girl and disappeared with her. To save her, [...]

Like other civilizations, the Mayans created stories, Indian myths and fables in which they interpreted, in their own unique way, the creation of the universe and the laws of life. Today, these stories will allow us to get closer to one of the greatest civilizations that has ever lived on our planet. Once upon a time, a brave and strong warrior lived in this world. He loved to hunt and often walked [...]

Like other civilizations, the Mayans created stories, legends and Indian tales in which they interpreted, in their own unique way, the creation of the universe and the laws of life. Today, these stories will allow us to get closer to one of the greatest civilizations that has ever lived on our planet. Once upon a time there lived a man who was so poor that he was always in bad mood, and mistreated [...]

Like other civilizations, the Mayans, Indian mythology created stories, legends and fables in which they interpreted, in their own unique way, the creation of the universe and the laws of life. Today, these stories will allow us to get closer to one of the greatest civilizations that has ever lived on our planet. As Indian mythology says, once upon a time a kind but unlucky man decided to sell his soul to the devil, [...]

Mayan discoveries were numerous. Thus, the introduction of the zero symbol into calculations is one of the greatest achievements of the Mayan civilization in its entire history. The role of zero cannot be overestimated, because while it carries the meaning of an empty set, at the same time it carries the meaning of infinity. The Mayan equivalent of the Arabic zero (0), allowed the Mayans to express any integer value using [...]

The city of Copan is one of the largest archaeological sites in Honduras and the most important political center of the disappeared Mayan Empire. The city of Copan is located in the west of Honduras, in the central part of the valley of the river of the same name (Copan), a kilometer from the town of the same name and 14 kilometers from the border with Guatemala. Copan is an ancient Mayan city, founded in the middle of the second century AD, [...]

The culture of the Mayan civilization is full of contrasts and secrets, American myths and legends: great mathematicians and astronomers, primitive farmers, friendly traders and bloodthirsty warriors. Like other civilizations, the peoples of Central America also had their own American myths, legends, and fairy tales. They described both the life of mere mortals and mythical creatures - gods or animals. Great attention [...]

Most recently, the National Institute of Anthropology and History told the world the news that archaeologists from Mexico began excavations of Mayan cities, in particular the research of a certain big city Mayan, protected for hundreds of years by the jungle, and hidden deep underground. The city was first discovered by local residents in 1995, and archaeologists Luz Evelia Campagna reported the discovery. Approximate [...]

It is assumed that the Mayan religion was the most cruel in the entire history of mankind. All of you have probably heard about the bloody atrocities that took place in the Mayan civilization, I mean sacrifices, both human and not. In numerous rituals of the Mayan religion, hundreds of thousands of animals and an incalculable number of human lives were sacrificed to please the gods. But is it [...]

The legacy of the Mayan civilization numbers hundreds of thousands of examples of highly developed culture; the ancient Indian cities were examples of majestic architecture, but the Spaniards did everything to destroy them. The fortified cities of the Indians, which protected local residents for hundreds of years, did not save the heritage. In July 1562, in Mani, Bishop Diego de Landa ordered that all Mayan manuscripts and works of art be collected and burned. Tenderloin [...]

The gods of the Indians were not just idols for the Indians themselves. God Vitzliputzli - Huitzilopochtli (Huitzilopochtli, Vislipuzli) - “God of the southern hummingbird”, “hummingbird of the left side”. Originally he was the god of the Aztec tribe (hummingbird in Aztec and Mayan mythology, often personified the sun). According to Aztec legends, one day Huitzilopochtli was supposed to appear on earth and take all people to a blessed place where they [...]

The culture of the Mayan civilization is full of contrasts and secrets, American tales and legends: great mathematicians and astronomers, primitive farmers, friendly traders and bloodthirsty warriors. Like other civilizations, the peoples of Central America also had their own myths, legends, and fairy tales of America. They described both the life of mere mortals and mythical creatures - gods or animals. Great attention [...]

The culture of the Mayan civilization is full of contrasts and secrets: Yucatan myths and fairy tales, great mathematicians and astronomers, primitive farmers, friendly traders and bloodthirsty warriors. Like other civilizations, the peoples of Central America also had their own Yucatan myths, legends, and fairy tales. They described both the life of mere mortals and mythical creatures - gods or animals. Great attention [...]

Not long ago, a hypothesis appeared according to which the Mayan civilization arose in Altai. Researchers were skeptical about this theory, but not everything is so simple. Yes, yes, you were not mistaken in Altai, that’s the Mayan tribe’s geography. And every step across Central America only confirms this theory. Even the elders of the descendants of the Mayan civilization without the slightest irony say [...]

In the ancient city of Waka, a modern Mayan ruin, a joint expedition of archaeologists from Guatemala and the United States discovered a burial that may have belonged to the founder of the local dynasty of Mayan monarchs who ruled in the third century AD. Scientists are not yet completely sure that the tomb belongs to the Mayans, however, as the Los Angeles Times notes, finds at the entrance to the burial chamber indicate [...]

Translations of the hieroglyphs depicted on the stairs of the pyramid in Guatemala have shown that at the peak of its development in the Maya civilization of Yucatan, there was a prolonged armed conflict between two city-states. Writings and texts of the Maya in Mexico. 1,300-year-old hieroglyphs support scientists' theories that the world of the ancient Maya, the Maya in Mexico, was split by battles between two dominant rulers, rather than clashes [...]

Traveling through Mayan cities and ruins is one of the most inspiring trips you will ever take. The excavations of the Mayan city and its ruins are both an incredible sight and a memory for a lifetime. Visiting ancient Mayan cities is a great way to spend your vacation. Places such as the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza, Palenque, Merida, Tulum, Tikal and [...]

One of the most revered gods in the Mayan civilization, in the Mayan pantheon, was Quetzalcoatl (Kukul-kan), the god of the wind, the god of the planet Venus, etc. In addition to the main deities, local gods and faith in deified ancestors and heroes. Among the numerous female deities, the “red goddess” Ish-Chebel-Yash was especially revered. She was often depicted with the paws of a predatory [...]

Mayan gods played a vital role in the daily lives of Native Americans. The Mayans were a deeply spiritual people, like all other peoples of the Mesoamerican continent. The Mayan pantheon of gods was based on the knowledge acquired over the long existence of this ancient civilization. The thoughts of the Mayan people and their actions for many millennia were determined by ideas and concepts about space and time, the creation of man, [...]

Farming played an important role throughout the history of the ancient civilization, which was built by the Mayan Indians, in the history of civilization which left behind many questions and mysteries, such as the Mayan calendar or the 2012 apocalypse according to Mayan predictions. Basically, the fields of ancient farmers were sown with numerous grains, most of them were corn. Legumes were also often grown, [...]

Central America, where the Mayans lived, is literally dotted with pyramids and ruins left by the ancient Mayan civilization, finest hour which occurred between 250 and 900 AD, and covered the territory of modern Honduras and part of central Mexico. Archaeologists were ordered to excavate in the area of ​​El Zotz, where the Mayans lived, (El Zotz translated [...]

In May of this year in Guatemala, researchers managed to discover a burial room, a Mayan tomb, but the discovery was made public only a couple of days ago, as it became known that the grave was found in the Peten region, where vast thickets and impenetrable jungle hid great secret Mayan civilization for many hundreds of years. The tomb, a Mayan tomb, dates from 300 - 600 [...]

Of all the empires of the ancient world, it is worth highlighting the Mayan civilization, which aggregated knowledge in mathematics in no way inferior to ours. It is believed that it was in the mathematics of the ancient Mayans that the concept of the number zero was first used. The priests of the Mayan civilization, who spread Mayan knowledge, are the first people on our planet to use the concept of an empty set in their calculations. We should also not forget about [...]

Tikal (or Tik'al according to modern Mayan orthography) is the most big place archaeological site and the center of the pre-Columbian Mayan civilization. It is located in the archaeological region of the Petén Basin in modern northern Guatemala, formerly inhabited by the Mayans and Incas. Now the part of Tikal located in the Petén basin is a National Park of Guatemala, and since 1979 thanks to UNESCO it [...]

On November 15, 1533, the first Spanish soldiers set foot in the ancient city belonging to the Mayans. Later on March 23, 1534, Francisco Pizarro arrived in Cusco with official visit renames the city “The Noble City of Cusco.” The ancient city, once a Mayan city, was rebuilt under European rule. Most of the buildings of the Incan and Mayan city, built after the Latin American invasion, were designed under [...]

For more than 3,000 years, the meaning of Mayan symbols remained a mystery to scientists around the world. The Maya were one of the few ancient civilizations to have their own writing system, the Mayan script. Their Mayan symbols and hieroglyphs are original, most of the civilizations borrowed writing systems from pre-existing empires. The hieroglyphs were discovered by an American, John Lloyd Stevens, and an Englishman, Frederick Catherwood in [...]

Welcome to our corner of Mayan art. Architecture and sculpture of the ancient Indians, Mayan painting, Inca architecture, memorial plaques, statues, sculptures and wall carved frescoes (believe me, the Mayans are not just fortune telling of the Mayans). You can read about all this, including Mayan painting, and not only here, and not only read, but also look. For your consideration [...]

Mysterious Mayans and extraterrestrial civilizations, rumors about a possible connection between ancient Indians and a more advanced form of life have been wandering around the Internet for a long time, and even before the advent of the Internet, this topic was widely discussed by many people. Some of them believe that the multi-level stone pyramids located in Central America are nothing more than star portals built by the Mayans and their extraterrestrial [...]

Mayan era, chronology: BC: 3000-2000, Olmec Empire. 1800-900, Early Preclassic Maya. 900-300, Middle Preclassic Maya civilization. 300 BC-250 AD, Late Preclassic Maya period. Common Era: 250-600, Early Classic Maya Civilization. 600-900, Late Classic Maya period. 900-1500, Pre-classic Mayan civilization. 1521-1821, Colonial period. 1821, To this day, independent Mexico. Mayan history, detailed timeline: BC: 11,000 BC, First hunter-gatherers [...]

Mayan beliefs, the religion of ancient American cultures, are characterized by complex, sophisticated rites and rituals, the fundamental purpose of which was to obtain indulgence from the gods in the form of all kinds of benefits. The Mayan religion boasted a huge variety of rituals, from the burning of fragrant resins, cult dances and chants to vigils, fasts and prayers. The religion of the ancient Mayans was structured in such a way that a special place in it was occupied [...]

The city of Chichen Itza, Tikal, Mayapan, Palenque - all these are little-studied areas of the Mayan civilization. The entire history of the Mayan civilization is shrouded in riddles and secrets. Even now, endless archaeological excavations of ancient cities and research operations do not provide answers to all questions and all Mayan mysteries. How did such an ancient civilization, which did not know the wheel, manage to build such majestic temples and pyramids? How [...]

The Mayan people were a homogeneous group of people who lived in the same area for thousands of years. The Mayan Indians spoke approximately thirty languages ​​(the writing of the Mayan Indians also included about 30 dialects), so similar that linguists suggested the existence of a proto-Mayan language, from which the others later appeared, given language existed approximately 7 thousand years ago. [...]

Ancient Mayans, Mayan culture, secrets of Mayan architects Deep in the tropical forests of Central America there are majestic monoliths, ruins of Mayan culture, Mayan civilizations, this is a whole Mayan wiki or, if you want, a storehouse of knowledge. Names so unfamiliar to modern man as Copan, Tikal, Chichen Itza, Monte Alban - the names of abandoned cities of the disappeared Mayan civilization - captivate our imagination. Mayan civilization, Mayan culture - [...]

The Mayan heritage is rich, as is the history of this people. At its peak, the Mayan Civilization occupied a vast area covering southeastern Mexico and the central American countries of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Mayan culture, Mayan religion, Mayan civilization developed over a fairly long period of time, beginning in the Preclassic period, approximately 1000 BC. and until the advent of the Spanish [...]

Ancient Mayan civilization and its history. Maya, Mayan civilization is an ancient American civilization that possessed the only known and perfectly developed written language of America before Columbus, as well as its art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems. Originally erected during the Preclassic period (c. 2000 BC to 250 AD), according to Maya history, the chronology of the Mayan civilization, many [...]

The Mayans are an Indian people who, before Central America was conquered by the Spaniards, lived in a cultural-geographical region called Mesoamerica.

Mayan civilization - city-states that appeared in the 1st millennium AD. e. in southeastern Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. Hieroglyphic writing, palace and temple architecture, fine arts, etc. were created. After the conquest by the Toltecs in the 9th - 10th centuries. The center of the state becomes the city, from the end of the 12th century - the city of Mayapan. The Mayan civilization was destroyed in the 16th century by the Spanish conquerors. The ruins of more than 100 cities have been preserved, the largest being Chichen Itza, Copan, Mayapan, Uxmal, and Tikal.

Disputes about the origin of the Mayan civilization, their culture and history continue. Mysterious ghost towns, built only with the use of muscle power in the jungles of Southern Mexico, attract archaeologists and various adventurers.

What do we know? Mysteries of the Mayans

Mayan settlements occupied vast areas of the south of what is now South America and neighboring countries of Central America. The spaces that they inhabit modern descendants Maya include the Yucatan Peninsula, Guatemala, British Honduras, the western regions of Honduras and El Salvador, and certain areas of the Mexican states of Chiapas and Tabasco.

The Mayan civilization was the most developed and longest existing in South America. The Yucatan Peninsula was its center. For a century and a half, this people has been of genuine interest to historians and researchers.

The culture of this great civilization gave rise to many questions, many of which remain unanswered to this day, for example, the jungle of Southern Mexico is not a very suitable place for life, but the Mayans decided to settle there. Why? Mystery.

The Mayan civilization used the concept of zero much earlier than the Arabs and Hindus, created a complex hieroglyphic writing system, surpassed its contemporary civilizations in the accuracy of astrological calculations, had a complex system of calendars, erected amazing temples, pyramids and palaces, reached its unprecedented heyday, living almost in the Stone Age .

Until the 10th century AD e. The Mayans did not know such achievements as metal smelting (except iron), breeding pack and draft animals, plow farming, and the wheel.

Another of the most mysterious secrets is connected with the Mayan civilization. For unknown reasons, these people left their inhabited lands and suddenly moved to the distant, undeveloped north. The cities were deserted, they were swallowed up by the jungle, the magnificent palaces began to collapse due to time and the trees that grew in their cracks. The riddle is all the more unclear because at the time of the resettlement this empire was at the peak of its heyday.

The territory occupied by the Mayan civilization is highlighted in red.

So who are they, the Mayans?

What the Mayans looked like

The average height of the Mayan Indians was approximately 150 cm. Immediately after birth, the head of a Yucatan baby was pressed between two planks so that over time the cranial bones became flat due to deformation. A flat skull, long hair arranged in a hairstyle, a hairless front part of the head, amber was inserted into the nostrils pierced through the cartilage, bracelets made from sea oyster shells - this is how the Mayan Indian looked. To this can be added painted bodies and faces, while the color of the paint had great importance. Red was worn by warriors, black by unmarried youths, yellow by prisoners, blue by priests. To the unique idea of ​​beauty were added teeth filed in a triangle, sometimes decorated with inlaid stones. Surprisingly, the Mayans considered squinting to be a sign of beauty. That is why a thread with a resin or wax ball was attached to the baby’s hair so that he would squint his eyes at him. Another one distinguishing feature Maya is a tattoo. Her absence was considered indecent.

The emergence of the Mayan civilization

There is an opinion that the ancestors of the Mayans appeared in the Mexican highlands (zones of Chiapas and Guatemala) in the first half of the 3rd millennium BC. e., to which the first shoots of the Mayan culture are related. This can be evidenced by ceramics discovered by archaeologists, stone tips for throwing weapons, rough utensils in the form of baked clay vessels and massive clay figurines.

From the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. e. large settlements appear on Mayan territory and begins to develop Agriculture. The Mayans build huts out of wood and clay in the jungle. The high roofs of their homes were made of palm leaves.

So, from 1500 BC. e. The so-called preclassic period begins, which gave the starting point for the historical existence of the most developed civilization of Ancient America - the Maya. And it lasts from 1500 BC. e. to 250 AD e. During this time, people gained agricultural experience and began to build rural-type settlements.

Story

There are several periods of this ancient civilization:
Early Preclassic period (2000-900 BC)
Middle Preclassic period (899-400 BC)
Late Preclassic period (400 BC - 250 AD)
Early Classical Period (250-600 AD)
Late Classical Period (600-900 AD)
Decline of the Mayan civilization
Postclassical period (900-1521)
Colonial period (1521-1821)
Post-colonial period
Maya today

Astrology

Mayan astrology, using the zodiac circle as its main reference, was a way to predict the future. Also used as tools were knowledge about the movements of celestial bodies, among which a special place was given to the Moon: the waning or waxing satellite of the Earth showed how successful a particular period of time was for a certain kind of undertaking.

Mayan natal astrology, which predicted the child's character, behavior and inclinations in adult life, is closely related to the Tzolkin calendar, each day of which could determine a character. For example, those born on the day of Imish, according to the Maya, led a dissolute life, neglecting social principles, while the babies of the day of Chuen became good craftsmen and artisans. The fate determined by astrology was predetermined, but the priests had the opportunity to change it by connecting the fate of a person with the day of bringing him to the temple.

Mayan culture

It should be noted that the culture of the ancient peoples of Mesoamerica has some similarities. This suggests an exchange between these peoples of certain achievements of their cultures, which led to a certain homogeneity, which, in turn, indicates that there was a mother culture from which the roots of the Mayan culture could come.

The main evidence of this ancestral culture is hieroglyphic writing, accordion-folded books, the use of cocoa beans instead of money, a ritual ball game, a cult hero - the Feathered Serpent and cult rituals, one of which was . Thus, the culture of the great Mayan civilization, starting from ancient times, was influenced by other cultures.

In the preclassic period, Mayan culture bears the imprint of the Olmec civilization (hence monumental sculptures, knowledge of mathematics, calendars). It is known that the Olmecs were able to create a calendar that was superior in accuracy to the European one.

Writing

The earliest inscriptions date back to the 3rd century BC. e. The letter was used continuously until the arrival in the 16th century AD. e. Spanish conquistadors, and in some of the more isolated areas, such as Tayasal, for some time after that.

Mayan writing was a system of verbal and syllabic signs. The term “hieroglyphs” in relation to Mayan writing was used by European researchers of the 18th and 19th centuries, who could not understand the signs and found them similar to Egyptian hieroglyphics.

In the early colonial era there were still people who knew the Mayan script. There is information that some Spanish priests who arrived in Yucatan managed to study it. But soon, Bishop of Yucatan Diego de Landa, as part of a campaign to eradicate pagan customs, ordered the collection and destruction of all Mayan texts, as a result of which this led to the loss of a significant part of the manuscripts.

Only 4 Mayan codices survived the conquistadors. More full texts have been found in pottery in Mayan tombs and on monuments and steles in cities abandoned or destroyed after the Spanish arrived. The knowledge of writing was completely lost by the end of the 16th century. Interest in it arose only in XIX century, after reports of destroyed Mayan cities were published.

Weapon

Mayan weapons were not a special achievement of technical thought. Over the course of many centuries of the existence of the Mayan civilization, it underwent minor changes. Much of the improvement has been in the art of war than in the weapons themselves.

In battles, the Mayans fought with spears of various lengths (the height of a man or more), darts and flat club-swords, the edges of which were lined with dense rows of embedded obsidian blades. By the end of the New Kingdom period (XV - XVI centuries), the Mayans had metal battle axes (made of an alloy of copper and gold) and bows and arrows, borrowed from the Aztecs. For protection, Mayan warrior rank and file wore plump, quilted cotton shells. The nobility used armor woven from flexible branches and defended itself with willow (less commonly, tortoiseshell) large or small round or square shields. A small shield (about the size of a fist) was used not only for defense, but also as a striking weapon.

El Caracol Observatory, Chichen Itza - Mexico

Rise of the Mayan civilization

After the end of the Olmec power, the southern trading cities of the Maya began to flourish. During this period, large centers of Mayan civilization emerged - El Mirador, Tikal, Nakbe, Vashaktun. The Mayans created a system of calendars (solar, lunar and ritual), with the help of which they recorded important historical moments and also made astrological forecasts.

The southeastern city of Copan attracts special attention. He, starting from the 5th century AD. e., for 400 years it was ruled by one dynasty, the founder of which was the ruler Yash-Kuk-Mo, who came to power in 426 AD. e.

626 - Ruler Dym-Jaguar, who was a royal descendant of Pakal, ascended the throne. He reigned for 67 years and was a long-liver. He was called the Great Instigator. Perhaps, with the help of territorial wars, this ruler greatly expanded the possessions of Copan, which contributed to its prosperity. This era includes the appearance of many steles praising rulers and their merits; the development of hieroglyphic writing, the creation of magnificent temples with sculptural images of gods.

Maya today

Today, about 6.1 million Mayans live on the Yucatan Peninsula, including Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. In Guatemala, about 40% of the population is Mayan, in Belize - about 10%. Today the Mayan religion is a mixture of Christianity and traditional beliefs Mayan. Each Mayan community today has its own religious patron. Donations can include poultry, spices or candles. Some Maya groups identify themselves through special elements in their traditional dress that distinguish them from other Maya.

How faithful to the survivors traditional life a group of Lecandon Mayans living in Chiapas (Mexico) is known. Representatives of the group wear cotton clothes that are decorated with traditional Mayan scenes. Christianity was able to exert a superficial influence on representatives of this group. But tourism and, above all, technical and economic progress are gradually beginning to erase the group’s identity. More and more Mayans wear modern clothes, have electricity, radios and televisions in their homes, and often cars. Some of the Mayans, meanwhile, live on income from tourism, as more and more people want to get acquainted with the world and culture of the ancient Mayans.

Temple of the Cross, Temple of the Sun in the ancient city of Palenque

Mayan civilization - interesting facts

There is no evidence that the Mayans could have had aircraft or cars, but they certainly did have a complex system of paved roads. They possessed advanced astronomical knowledge about the movement of celestial bodies. Perhaps the most amazing evidence of this is the building with a domed roof called El Caracol located on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Archaeological excavations may indicate that the Mayans actually practiced human sacrifice, and this was considered a favor for the victims.

They believed that one still had to get to heaven: first one must go through 13 circles of hell, and only then a person will receive eternal bliss. And this path is so difficult that not all souls can reach it. However, there was also a “direct road to heaven”: women who died during childbirth, victims of wars, suicides, those who died while playing ball and ritual victims could receive it.

According to one interpretation of the codes, the Mayans came from a place that is now hidden under water, they were even mistaken for the children of Atlantis. Atlantis is, of course, a strong word. But scientists, relatively recently, managed to discover what may be the remains of ancient Mayan cities on the ocean floor. The age of the cities and the cause of the cataclysm cannot be determined.

The Mayans used three calendars. The civil calendar, or Haab, consisted of 18 months of 20 days each - for a total of 360 days. For ceremonial purposes, Tzolkin was used, which included 20 months of 13 days each, and the entire cycle was thus 260 days. Together they made up a single complex and long calendar, which contained information about the movement of planets and constellations.

There was no beginning or end in the calendar - time for the Mayans went in a circle, everything was repeated again and again. There was no such thing as “end of the year” for them - only the rhythm of planetary cycles.

The Mayans invented sports. One thing is for sure - the Mayans loved playing ball. Long before the Europeans began to dress in skins, the Mayans had already made a ball court at home and came up with the rules of the game. Their game appeared to be a tough combination of football, basketball and rugby.

About 1,000 Mayan cities have been discovered (as of the early 1980s), but not all of them have yet been excavated or explored by archaeologists. About 3,000 villages were also found.

The Mayans loved saunas. An important cleansing element for the ancient Mayans was the diaphoretic bath: water was poured onto hot stones to create steam. Everyone used such baths, from a woman who had recently given birth to a king.

Disappearance of the Mayan civilization

The reason why the Mayans could have disappeared has been named. Historians from Vienna technical university found out the reason for the decline of the Mayan Empire. As it turned out, irrigation technologies that saved crops from drought could make society more vulnerable to natural disasters. 2014 - geologists from America suggested that the cause of the extinction of the Mayans could have been an extreme drought that lasted about 100 years.

There are other versions that name possible reasons for the disappearance of civilization: the collapse of the local agricultural system, terrible epidemics of diseases (for example, yellow fever), the arrival of conquerors from Mexico, social cataclysms, the forced capture of people by the Tultek rulers of Yucatan, and even earthquakes and decline in the sun. activity.

The civilizations of pre-Columbian America reached their peak among the Mayans, Incas and Aztecs. Whole line general allows scientists to conclude that the Mayan civilization became the heir to the Olmec cultural tradition.

The cultural history of this people is usually divided into three periods. First period(from antiquity to 317) - the time of the emergence of city-states, primitive shifting agriculture, the production of cotton fabrics, etc. Second period (317-987) — ancient kingdom, or the classical period, is the time of the growth of cities (Palenque, Chichen Itza, Tulum) and at the same time the mysterious exodus of the population from them at the beginning of the 10th century. Third period(987-16th century) - a new kingdom, or postclassical period - the time of the arrival of European conquistadors, the adoption of new laws, styles in life and art, mixing of cultures, fratricidal wars, etc.

Around 300 BC In the geographical area covering parts of modern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras, the Mayan civilization began to take shape. In this territory, the Maya people built several majestic ritual centers, the ruins of which have survived to this day. These centers consisted of a few large buildings, and their population was small - mainly priests, their servants and artisans. Large religious holidays were held in the centers, to which large crowds of people flocked.

It formed the spiritual basis of Mayan culture, as in many ancient civilizations. In Mayan ideas, the world was a complex formation, filled with various sacred forces. Therefore, the pantheon of gods was very large. Dozens of gods are known, which, depending on their functions, are divided into groups: gods of fertility, water, hunting, fire, stars, death, war, etc. The main ones were the god of fruitful rain and deadly lightning with a head like a tapir, the god of the Sun and the night sky, the god of corn - the patron of life and death. All of them had a human appearance, thanks to which they can be easily recognized in hieroglyphic inscriptions.

The religious views of the Mayans were based on the connection between life and death, the eternal cycle of dying and rebirth. Therefore, all Mayan deities are dual and combine two opposite principles - life and death, love and hate, earth and sky. The Mayans depicted their main gods as a feathered snake: feathers are a symbol of the sky, the snake is a symbol of the earth. They believed that, depending on a person’s actions after death, the person’s soul remains either in a state of serene bliss or in eternal torment. Eternal bliss awaits those who deserve it, and sinners go to Metnal - the underworld, an eternally cold region inhabited by demons.

The religious rituals of the ancient Mayans were very complex, especially the sacrifices of the different types, among which the most common were human ones, since it was believed that the gods feed only on human blood. Like the Volmec civilization, the Mayans sacrificed the most beautiful girls to the gods, receiving eternal happy life for this, and the best boys were winners in the ball game.

It was believed that each of the gods took turns ruling the world at certain intervals, such as a year or several years. By the time the reign of a certain god began, the Mayans displayed his statues in temples and squares, and they stood until his reign ended. The reign of the evil deity brought troubles and suffering to people, and the good one brought prosperity and prosperity. The Universe, according to Mayan beliefs, is complex: it was divided into 13 spaces, each of them was in charge of some god. The sky was supported by four deities, and each had its own color: red belonged to the god of the east, white to the god of the north, black to the god of the west, yellow to the god of the south; At the center of the universe was the color green. Thus, the Mayan number four had special magical knowledge. This probably explains the existence of four capital cities among the Mayans: Copan, Calakmul, Tikal, Palenque.

Mayan architecture

Architecture received the greatest development in material culture Mayan. There were two types architectural structures- residential buildings and monumental ceremonial buildings. Ordinary residential buildings were often built on platforms, had rectangular outlines, stone walls, peaked, thatched, gable roofs; A fireplace made of stones was built in the center of the house. The type of ceremonial buildings included pyramids, which served as the foundation of the temple, raising it as high as possible to the sky; Most often, temples were located on the tops of the pyramids. They were square in plan, had a cramped interior space (due to thick walls), were decorated with inscriptions, ornaments, and served as sanctuaries. An example of this type of architecture is the “Temple of the Inscriptions” in Palenque. Mayan buildings were built at certain intervals - 5, 20 and 50 years. Archaeological evidence suggests that the Mayans re-lined their pyramids every 52 years and erected steles (altars) every five years. The records on the altars reported on any events. Such subordination artistic culture calendar and time did not exist anywhere in the world.

Mayan sculpture and painting

Sculpture and painting harmoniously complemented Mayan architecture. Their images represent a panorama of the life of society. The main themes of the images are deities, rulers, and everyday life. Altars and steles were decorated with multi-figure compositions combining various sculptural genres. The Mayans used all sculptural genres - carving, bas-relief, high relief, round and modeled volume. The materials used were obsidian, flint, jade, shells, bone and wood. The Mayans also knew how to make religious objects from clay, covering them with painting. Many sculptures were painted. The sculptors paid great attention to facial expressions and clothing details.

The Mayan sculptural tradition is distinguished by realism, brilliance and energy. On steles and temple reliefs sculptural images people are made at the same time realistic and artificially motionless. A mandatory requirement for sculptural figures was an S-shaped spread: the feet and head of the figure were depicted in profile, and the torso and shoulders were depicted from the front. In ritual centers, sculptural monuments-steles were erected with hieroglyphic inscriptions relating to the ruler-priest, whose image was present on the monument, containing a description of some historical event or the pedigree of the person to whom the monument was dedicated. The date of death of this person or his rise to power was often indicated. The face itself was depicted wearing full ritual regalia, including ear and nose ornaments, bracelets, necklaces, a feathered headdress, and a ceremonial staff.

Mayan customs and traditions

Customs and traditions were playing special role in Mayan life, primarily associated with the birth of a child, reaching puberty, and marriage. The birth of a person was considered a manifestation of the favor of the gods, especially the moon goddess Ish-Chel. The priests gave the baby a child's name and drew up a horoscope for him, predicting which deity would patronize or harm the child throughout his life.

Strabismus was considered one of the main signs of beauty among the Mayans. To develop it, a rubber ball or small bead was attached to the child's hair and hung between the eyes. A wooden plank was tightly bandaged to the front of the baby's head so that the skull became flatter and the forehead line lengthened, which was considered a sign of beauty and high social status.

In the life of every representative of the Mayan people, the rite of puberty was important. The day for it was chosen especially carefully. On the appointed day, all participants in the celebration gathered in the courtyard of the patron's house. The priest performed a ritual of cleansing the home and expelled evil spirit, the yard was swept and mats were laid out on the ground. The ceremony ended with a feast and general drunkenness. After this, marriage was allowed. Fathers chose future wives for their sons, observing the ban on marriage between persons related by blood.

A special activity in Mayan culture was playing ball, which was of a religious and ceremonial nature. Preparation for the game was accompanied by a complex ritual, since it was believed that certain deities entered into the fight in the game.

The death of the Mayan civilization dates back to the 11th century. This historical fact is still a mystery, since a huge empire suddenly died for no apparent reason. At the same time, the cities remained untouched - without traces of destruction, as if their inhabitants had left for a short time and were soon going to return.

With all the power of modern man and his striving forward, the need to become acquainted with the previous moments of the development of civilization cannot but arise. If already relatively well known ancient times arouse considerable interest, to say nothing of the poorly studied Mayan tribe.

The Mayan tribe is a mysterious civilization

We hasten to disappoint fans of sensations. The mystery of the Maya is due either to the lack of knowledge of specific people about it, or to the poor knowledge of some point. In fact, enough is known to archaeologists and other researchers today about the Maya to say that it was one of a large number of ancient civilizations. Finding mystical components in her and her fate is inappropriate.

The Mayans built luxurious palaces and large cities with large areas. Their civilizational achievements allowed them to dominate for about one thousand five hundred years.

Disappearance of the Maya

Let's start from the end. Ninth century AD, territory of modern Guatemala. The Indians are experiencing a shortage of water and food, epidemics are literally mowing down people. Cities quickly emptied and civilization collapsed. Archaeologists were able to find out: the image of the “wise, peaceful Mayans” is a little less than in no way consistent with reality. Their city-states (analogous to the Greek city-states) fought among themselves.

The emergence of the Mayan civilization dates back to the second millennium BC. After one and a half thousand years, they became so numerous that they began to control almost all of Central America. Around 250 AD, city-states emerged. Between these formations and their rulers there was a continuous struggle, sometimes armed. Of course, the rulers and priesthood represented these wars solely as the will of the gods. Human sacrifice was an everyday occurrence. None of the cities had clear leadership.

Mayan Tribe - Incredible Facts

Contrary to popular myths, the Mayans were a Stone Age civilization. The tools with which their buildings were erected were appropriate. There were no metal tools or draft animals. The wheel and metal were known in principle, but the majestic “pyramids” were built without them - apparently, this cultural feature The more difficult the work, the more valuable the result.

The mathematical achievements of this civilization were almost higher than those of any of its contemporaries. This is where the zero symbol first appears. It is believed that the Mayans also knew Square root. Mayan engineers created an excellent drainage system and aqueducts that were in no way inferior to the Roman ones.

How did all this prosperity collapse? There are several versions. One – depletion of reserves and environmental disaster – seems to be the most adequate. People fled cities where it became impossible to live. According to another, the main factor was the raids of nomadic tribes.

Mayan magic stone

In the Villaeromas Museum there is a stone on which the “ominous” date is inscribed - December 21, 2012. Today we know for sure, 100%: there is nothing serious behind this prophecy. But it’s all the more interesting to really comprehend those cultural meanings, which are hidden in these inscriptions.

Mayan clothing behind past centuries has practically not changed, at least among old people it is the same as in ancient times. Their concept of beauty is emphatically non-European - for example, it was widely believed that squint and a flattened forehead, as well as an aquiline nose, were beautiful. Clothes were made from white and brown cotton, as well as from wood fibers. Later they began to use silk and wool. Organic and mineral dyes were used.

Mayan version of the creation of the world, like other layers of their culture, reveals the systemic unity of the peoples of pre-Columbian America. The basis of Mayan mythology is the cyclical nature of the universe with periods of 5000 years. Each period is divided into thirteen parts and, according to ideas, invariably ends in disaster. The goal of people is to perform tasks pleasing to the gods, such as crafts and agriculture. Each policy had its own legends.