All about the ancient tribes
The Mesoamerican cultural area, which encompasses a territory that stretches from the north of Mexico all the way down into Central America, was the setting for the development of the Maya civilisation. Mesoamerica is considered to be one of the world’s six ″cradles of civilisation.″
Of all the ancient civilizations that once thrived in Mesoamerica, the Maya are undoubtedly the most well-known. Around 2600 B.C., they made their first appearance in the Yucatán region of what is now southern Mexico, Guatemala, northern Belize, and western Honduras. They grew to prominence around the year 250 A.D. in these areas.
The Maya were home to one of the most advanced societies in what is now known as the Western Hemisphere prior to the conquest of Mexico and Central America by the Spanish ( see pre-Columbian civilizations: The earliest Maya civilization of the lowlands ).
During the middle of the Preclassic Period, a transition from smaller settlements to larger cities began to take place. Large constructions at Nakbe, which is located in the Petén region of Guatemala, have been dated to around 750 BC. This makes it the most well-documented and oldest city in the Maya lowlands.
Where exactly did the Maya call home? Chiapas and Yucatán, both of which are now a part of southern Mexico, as well as parts of Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, and El Salvador, as well as Nicaragua, were all occupied by the Mayan civilisation at one point or another.
Maya Civilization Timeline
Evolution of Maya culture | |
---|---|
Middle Preclassic Maya | 900-300 B.C. |
Late Preclassic Maya | 300 B.C. – A.D. 250 |
Early Classic Maya | A.D. 250-600 |
Late Classic Maya | A.D. 600-900 |
The Maya civilization (/ma/) was a Mesoamerican civilization developed by the Maya peoples. It is known for its logosyllabic script, which was the most advanced and highly developed writing system in pre-Columbian Americas, as well as for its art, architecture, mathematics, calendar, and astronomical system. Additionally, the Maya peoples were known for their advanced art and architecture.
Since the beginning of recorded history, Maya civilization has been established throughout Central America. They are one of the many indigenous peoples that lived in Mesoamerica prior to the arrival of the Spanish.
Maya historians have, for the most part, come to the conclusion that the collapse of Maya civilization was most likely caused by a confluence of three primary causes: fighting between Maya city-states, overpopulation, and drought. The factors did not always coexist at the same time or can be present in a single city all at the same time.
The Maya were a race of people that had dark complexion, dark eyes, and straight black hair; yet, the Maya believed that what made a person physically attractive was not the way in which they were born but rather a long sloping forehead and slightly crossed eyes.
The Yucatec language, also known as Maya or Yucatec Maya, is an American Indian language of the Mayan family that is spoken in the Yucatán Peninsula. This region includes a portion of Mexico in addition to Belize and northern Guatemala.
In addition to vegetables like beans and squashes, maize was the primary staple item in their diet. Potatoes and a very fine grain known as quinoa were two of the most prevalent crops cultivated by the Incas. In addition to a vast range of fruits, the Aztecs and Maya were known to choose avocados and tomatoes as their primary sources of nutrition.
The Maya are currently estimated to have a population of around six million people, making them the biggest single group of indigenous peoples found north of Peru. Mexico is home to many of the most populous Maya communities, the most notable of which being the Yucatecs (with an estimated population of 300,000), the Tzotzil (120,000), and the Tzeltal (80,000).