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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A passage from an ancient Guatemalan text called the Popol Vuh contains a creation myth involving dwarfs before humans ever existed. These dwarfs were endowed with great vision and intellect, and eventually began creating art and ignoring the gods, hubris which led to their destruction in a flood. The gods then created humans from corn, imbuing them with limited vision. Learn more about the fascinating myth here.
Both ancient Maya and those in the region today believe in the existence of a spirit or animal companion. These companions are associated with the 20 sacred calendar day signs and manifest in various forms, such as animals, natural elements like rain or fire, or objects like obsidian. Each companion is said to reflect the individual's character traits based on their birthdate. To discover your Maya Spirit Companion, input your birthdate 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.
This free online game, Descent of the Serpent, guides players through Mesoamerican myths as they challenge the god Tezcatlipoca. Along the way, it introduces monuments and artifacts with short explanations of their meaning in Aztec and Mayan cultures.
Sure, you can do long division and you memorized some multiplication tables years ago. But do you know what number đ could be? Traditional people in the YucatĂĄn used seeds, sticks, and shells to count. A dot or a seed represents the number 1, a stick represents the number 5, and a shell represents zero. Use this fun interactive resource to learn more about the ancient Maya mathematics system and try your hand at using it.
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.
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 dutiesâincluding 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 Mirror-Bearer is a remarkable example of Early Classic Maya art, one of many discovered that were crafted from solid hardwood around 500 CE. The male figure is adorned in a knee-length woven skirt and shawl and once held a removable plaque, likely a mosaic mirror. It is a model of an actual Mirror-Bearer, likely a royal court dwarf, and depicts typical Maya courtly scenes. Learn more about the sculpture and its inspiration here.
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.
Once dominated by the shallow waters of Lake Texcoco, the high-altitude Valley of Mexicoâsurrounded by volcanic peaksâwas home to the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan. This resource breaks down the regionâs unique geography and why it became a cradle of Mesoamerican civilization.
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