(Above) During the Spring and Autumn equinox, the sun's shadows appear to follow the path of the serpent staircase at the Temple of Kukulkan, giving it a realistic feel and testifying the mathematic prowess of the Mayans.
The Mayans: The Cradle of Pre-Columbian America
Most people only started to really think about the Mayans after that 2012 scare that didn't actually turn out to happen, and was instead only made into a movie. What they don't realize though, is that Mayans actually had a much greater legacy than just good Hollywood marketing and end-of-the-world cow dung. By the time the Mayan civilization began around 600-400 BCE, it was arguably the most culturally and technologically advanced civilization in the Western Hemisphere.
The civilization encompassed what is now Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and parts of Honduras and Mexico. Before their decline in 900 CE, the Mayans had constructed numerous architectural feats, developed accurate calenders, and made advances in math and science.
Mayan Political Organization
Much like their Olmec ancestors, the Mayans didn't really have an empire per se, but rather a confederacy of city-states, each with individual rulers. These rulers were usually members of a long-lasting family line (which in some cases included women), and the Mayans usually celebrated these new rulers with human sacrifices. The sacrificed was usually some prisoner of war that was taken by the new ruler himself so these rulers most likely had some military background. Instead of conquering smaller states, the larger Maya would collect tributes, somewhat like a tax.
Mayan Society
Mayan society was divided into three distinct social classes:
Government workers, brokers, and craftsmen comprised the middle class of Mayan society. They were responsible for public services but at times were still obliged to give manual labor to the upper, ruling nobles who enjoyed the lavishes of all labor. In fact, the Mayans had believed that the gods had actually favored the nobles so there was little to no opposition. It was also expected that every citizen, save for the upper class, serve time in the army and participate in the construction of public services.
- Ruling Noble Class
- Middle Class
- Farmers and Slaves
Government workers, brokers, and craftsmen comprised the middle class of Mayan society. They were responsible for public services but at times were still obliged to give manual labor to the upper, ruling nobles who enjoyed the lavishes of all labor. In fact, the Mayans had believed that the gods had actually favored the nobles so there was little to no opposition. It was also expected that every citizen, save for the upper class, serve time in the army and participate in the construction of public services.
The Ritual Ballgame
The last goal had been scored. Silence lingers for a moment and then cheers erupt from the crowd. Among the noise you hear the cries of the disappointed gamblers and the weeping of families. You look up at the winning team--scarred but grinning; they would be honored as victors. Then the ritual of the priests is conducted and the last thing you ever see are men approaching you with knives.
Originating from the ancient Olmec peoples, the ritual ballgame took a firm stance in Mayan culture as an important social pastime. Evidence shows that only the wealthiest could afford to organize such ball games which increased their reputation around society. Despite this, the game itself was very dangerous and players were subject to severe injury. Aside from being a mere display, however, it resolved issues, decisions, and even wars. Still, these ball games usually contained some aspect of human violence, and the losing team would also lose their heads. Nevertheless, it was still viewed as time for communion and gambling, food vendors, and even sponsors would be present. The Mayan people were so passionate, in fact, that at times they even wagered their own children. So in a way, it was sort of like a little sports league, except that players were less likely to return from injury. Really less likely.
It still contained religious implications, however. In fact, priests would conduct rituals before and after the game, which further solidified its important place in society. The Mayans described the original game as having religious beginnings in contest between mankind and deities in a story that became known as the Maya Hero Twins. The whole story is in the animated video below.
(To the right, one of the goals found in the Great Ball court in Chichen Itza, which players would try to sling a rubber ball through)
It still contained religious implications, however. In fact, priests would conduct rituals before and after the game, which further solidified its important place in society. The Mayans described the original game as having religious beginnings in contest between mankind and deities in a story that became known as the Maya Hero Twins. The whole story is in the animated video below.
(To the right, one of the goals found in the Great Ball court in Chichen Itza, which players would try to sling a rubber ball through)
Economy in Ancient Maya
Subsistence farming was widely practiced in early Mayan society, and farmers grew large amounts of maize, beans, and varieties of squash using slash and burn agriculture. Eventually as the Mayan population grew, these crops were exchanged for other things like seafood and tools.
Despite all their advancements in other areas, the Mayans lacked their own form of currency so goods had different values depending on where you were in the area. Items such as jade, gold, and copper were highly coveted since they represented wealth and high status in society. One of the more important minerals in Mayan economy and trade was obsidian being that it was made into weaponry and other items.
Despite all their advancements in other areas, the Mayans lacked their own form of currency so goods had different values depending on where you were in the area. Items such as jade, gold, and copper were highly coveted since they represented wealth and high status in society. One of the more important minerals in Mayan economy and trade was obsidian being that it was made into weaponry and other items.
Mayan Religion
And Its Connection With Architecture
And Its Connection With Architecture
The development of elaborate stone pyramids served as a sign of religious development in ancient Mayan society. The multitude of these impressive structures were dedicated to an array of gods and at times, used as sacrificial areas, which they believed brought good harvest and protection to the area. Some of these deities were worshiped widely throughout the Mesoamerican region, although with a different interpretation among different groups. The Mayans themselves celebrated a multitude of divinities such as ones for the sun, rain, corn, and agricultural fertility. You know; the usual among old, ancient people. One of the most famous being Kukulkan, otherwise known as "the feathered serpent," which actually might just mean bird although it wouldn't sound as cool. Religion also later resulted in job specialization as priests were needed for the temples and workers needed to build them.
The Mayans also built impressive cities, the most famous being Chichen Itza. Within Chichen Itza itself lies a Mesoamerican ball court (which was used to play their ritual ball game) as well as baths, palaces, and temples. It is also said that the city also housed an observatory, which led to the creation of the Mayan calender.
The Mayans also built impressive cities, the most famous being Chichen Itza. Within Chichen Itza itself lies a Mesoamerican ball court (which was used to play their ritual ball game) as well as baths, palaces, and temples. It is also said that the city also housed an observatory, which led to the creation of the Mayan calender.
Mayan Advancements and Legacy
Even though the Mayans are dead, they're legacy still lives on in the pyramids that still stand today. Not only are they a testament to the the sheer power of the Maya, but they also tell a tale of their mathematical prowess. Mayan calenders were surprisingly accurate (consisting up to 365 days), and they paved the way for our calenders today. A system of complex hieroglyphic writing was also conceived by the Maya, allowing scholars to call them the first truly literate civilization in Mesoamerica. In addition, they were able to understand the concept of zero. But among all that intellectual mumbo-jumbo, let's not forget the true reason why we love the Mayans. Because without them, we probably wouldn't have calenders, but we wouldn't have that cool 2012 movie with John Cusack either.
Links:
- http://www.angelfire.com/ca/humanorigins/government.html
- http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/Maya/p/Ancient-Maya-Economy-And-Trade.htm
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6aGe4f1D9g
- http://ancientmayanpottery.blogspot.com/2012/07/mayan-history-and-beyond.html
- http://www.slideshare.net/rhalter/mesoamerican-civilizations
- www.nairiok.org/MesoAmerica.html
- http://www.indians.org/welker/maya.htm
- http://archaeology.about.com/od/mameterms/a/Mesoamerican_Ball_Game.htm
- http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/comp/cw13nativeamereconomics.htm
- http://chichenitzaruins.org/mayan-ball-game/
- http://project-history.blogspot.com/2005/10/mayan-social-classes.html