# The Mayan Civilization: Masters of Time and Stars

Rising from the dense jungles of Central America, the Maya built one of history's most sophisticated civilizations. For over three thousand years, they created magnificent pyramid cities, developed the concept of zero, and made astronomical calculations that still astound modern scientists. Their descendants, seven million strong, still speak Mayan languages today.

### Quick Facts

- Timeline: c. 2000 BCE - 1500s CE
- Region: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador
- Major Cities: Tikal, Chichen Itza, Palenque, Copan
- Innovations: Zero, advanced calendar, hieroglyphic writing
- Legacy: 7+ million Maya alive today

## Great Cities

Unlike the Romans or Egyptians, the Maya never formed a single empire. They built powerful independent city-states, each ruled by divine kings who claimed descent from the gods.

### Chichen Itza

El Castillo and the serpent shadow.

### Tikal

The great city of 100,000 people.

### Palenque

Tomb of King Pakal the Great.

### Copan

The Athens of the Mayan world.

### Uxmal

Puuc-style architectural masterpiece.

### Calakmul

The snake kingdom in the jungle.

#### Essential Mayan History Books

- The Ancient Maya by Robert Sharer - The definitive academic text
- Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens - Every ruler decoded
- Maya Cosmos by David Freidel - Understanding the Mayan worldview

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## Science & Knowledge

The Maya achieved remarkable intellectual feats, independently inventing concepts that took other civilizations centuries to develop.

### The Mayan Calendar

More accurate than the Gregorian calendar.

### Mayan Astronomy

Venus calculations accurate to 2 hours per century.

### Mathematics & Zero

They invented zero independently.

### Mayan Hieroglyphics

800+ symbols finally decoded.

Historical context illustration

## Gods & Religion

The Maya believed the universe was in a constant cycle of death and rebirth. Their gods demanded blood sacrifice to keep the cosmos in balance.

### Mayan Gods

Kukulkan, Chaac, Itzamna, and more.

### Popol Vuh

The Mayan creation myth and Hero Twins.

### Xibalba

The Mayan underworld of terror.

### Blood Sacrifice

Why the Maya offered blood to the gods.

#### Mayan Mythology & Culture

- Popol Vuh - The definitive translation of the Mayan creation story
- Maya Mythology by Finley Holiday - Gods, heroes, and legends
- The Blood of Kings by Linda Schele - Dynasty and ritual

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## Society & Culture

### Mayan Society

Kings, priests, farmers, and slaves.

### The Ball Game

Sport, ritual, and sometimes death.

### Daily Life

Food, clothing, and family.

### Mayan Architecture

Pyramids that touch the sky.

### Mayan Art

Jade, ceramics, and murals.

## Wars & Politics

### Mayan Warfare

Capture, not conquest.

### Divine Kings

Rulers who spoke to the gods.

## The Collapse & Legacy

### The Classic Maya Collapse

Why did the great cities fall silent? Drought, war, or something else?

### The Maya Today

7 million descendants keep the culture alive.

#### Mayan History Gift Ideas

- DK Eyewitness Aztec, Inca & Maya - Stunning visual guide
- Lost Kingdoms of the Maya - National Geographic journey
- Mayan Calendar Art Print - Beautiful wall decor

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### Mayan Legacy

- Calendar - More accurate than European calendars of the same era
- Mathematics - Concept of zero invented independently
- Astronomy - Predicted eclipses centuries in advance
- Architecture - Pyramids aligned to astronomical events
- Living Culture - 7+ million Maya speak Mayan languages today
- Chocolate - The Maya gave the world cacao