At the high watermark of their civilization, the Maya people in Mesoamerica reached a level of complexity comparable to the golden age of ancient Greece, inhabiting dozens of sophisticated cities, with some hosting up to 50,000 inhabitants .
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How vast was the Mayan civilization, and where are its greatest excavation and historical sites? This interactive map shows just how large the Maya civilization grew before it fell in the 1600s, and where you can go today to see ruins and evidence of the ancient culture. Click through this map to learn more about the society via archeological hotspots.
The Camino del Mayab, Mexico's inaugural long-distance trail, spans 68 miles west of Cancún, tracing ancient Maya paths and railways. Developed in collaboration with local Maya communities, the trail showcases Indigenous culture and history and seeks to protect Maya heritage while providing economic opportunities for businesses along the route. The community-based tourism trail highlights remnants of colonialism, traditional handicrafts, and efforts to revive cultural practices.
Avid fans of archaeology can sometimes fall prey to unsubstantiated claims like "aliens built the pyramids," provocative, dubious theories which fall under the category of pseudo-archaeology. Many of these claims are premised on hidden biases toward non-Western cultural heritages. This professor explores the hidden contours of pseudo-archaeology in this 12-minute TED talk.
Maya society was structured on four main classes: nobility, priesthood, commoners, and slaves. The most powerful ruler held ultimate political authority and was succeeded by a son or by council selection. Nobles managed provinces and collected tributes, while priests wielded significant influence, performing religious duties—including human sacrifice. Common farmers and laborers supported the upper classes and had more right than slaves, typically composed of prisoners of war and criminals. This hierarchical division arguably allowed the Maya to produce architectural marvels and maintain social stability.
The ancient Maya people sometimes modified their skulls to appear more conical. Body modification has been a human pastime for literal ages, from piercings to bindings and everything in between. Modifying one's skull shape may have been a way to symbolize status, beauty, belonging, or belief. The health impacts of such practices are still debated. This article explores the history and health impacts of skull modification, also known as artificial cranial deformation.
Melipona honey was utilized by the ancient Maya and produced by stingless bees located in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. With a history dating over three millennia, this honey was traditionally used for medicinal purposes due to its high fructose content and antioxidant properties. Unlike regular honey, Melipona honey is less prone to crystallization and has a distinctive watery texture. Learn more about the honey here.
The Maya village of Ceren in El Salvador was preserved by volcanic ash from 1,400 years ago, revealing insights into ancient Maya commoners' lives. Ceren villagers had autonomy in their daily activities, and excavations reveal evidence of communal decision-making and event hints at the presence of a community sauna. Dive into more of the archaeological finds on how businesses were run, how they prepared for disaster, and more.
Two bloodlines attained near total supremacy of the Maya civilization in contemporary central America: the lords of Tikal and the Kaanul Dynasty. The Kaanul, or snake, dynasty often used marriage to expand their empire, wedding their sorcerer queens to low-ranking rulers of desired lands. Read this Archaeology Magazine article to learn more about these Maya snake queens.
This free online video game takes players on a journey through Mesoamerican legends as they attempt to undermine Tezcatlipoca, also known as Huracan or Hurakan. This game is titled Descent of the Serpent, a reference to the serpent-like shadow that descends the steps of the Mayan pyramid El Castillo during the equinoxes. Throughout the game, players will discover objects and monuments accompanied by blurbs explaining their relevance and meaning in Mayan and Aztec cultures.
Chichen Itza was a major city of the Maya civilization located in present-day Mexico, and one of the largest and most prominent Maya cities during the Terminal Classic period (around 800-1000 AD). It served as a major religious, cultural, and economic center in the northern Yucatan peninsula, but was believed to be largely abandoned in the 13th century for unknown reasons.
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