The Evolution of the Mayan Culture

A civilization of followers, which is believed to be one our greatest cultures the world has ever found. According to Mr. Paige (2006), they are believed to have existed for over 5,000 years, starting from 1600 BC. They are believed to live in Yucatan, Belize, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, or Central and South American. Mayan settlements are well-known for their temples and buildings, distinctive jewelry, ceramics. They are well known for their advanced languages, mathematics, and astronomy. Development of the Culture

Pre-classic Era

In 1600BC to 250 AD, they hunted using weapons like powerful arrows with deadly points. The farmed the land and created irrigation systems, in order to grow healthier crops. Late in this era, Mayans began erecting building, monuments, and altar temples that were made of limestone. They eventually created the first calendar and painted mythical scenes that were painted in two dimensions. They introduced on mathematics and astronomy, which became part of their everyday lives.

Classic Era

In this Era, Mayan followers used cacao grains, to buy things they needed or wanted. Their economy was built by trading heavenly with other tribes or cultures, during 250AD to 900AD. According to Mr. Paige (2006), the Mayan people traded gold and were well known for how brilliantly they built things. They successfully lived off the land and hunted animals, so they can feed their families. They worshipped daily and lived in harmony with other tribes; once they learned how communicate with each other.

Post-Classic

During 900 AD to Present Day, the followers got better at writing, drawing, and communicating with hieroglyphics. According to Mr. Paige (2006), they have over 800 complex symbols they communicate with. They traveled to other places, after economic hardships and invasions of other tribes. They still worshipped in secret, due to fear of harm or prejudice from Christians. Even now, the Mayan followers spend time farming their land and growing food for their family.
Religious Beliefs

Religious Customs

Most religious worships included songs, dancing, plays, competitions, prayer, and sacrifice. They believe in several gods, but they also believe in the Christian God. According to Mr. Hooker (1996), The Mayan's believe that the earth has four earth ages and their god's were reptilian. Also, they thought that the female and male spirit lives in each god's personality. Most Mayan followers believe that their Lord of Death is living in the Biblical Hell, many people that failed to please the gods.

Titles to Live by

The Mayan people were divided into four separate categories: rulers, priests, commoners, and slaves. Each follower belonged to one these titles, as a part of the community. The followers are required to perform certain duties and responsibilities daily, which came with their title. They worked hard to feed their family and required farming plenty of land. The followers were ruled daily by person that was born into the title. Most followers respect both the ruler and the priest, as a part of their cultural traditions.

Blood Sacrifices

In the Mayan culture, human sacrifices occurred frequently in sacred rituals and ceremonies. According to Mr. Hooker (1996), one blood ritual involved ripping out living heart and burning to nourish the gods. Some believed in giving their blood to their gods, by allowing a priest to pierce their body parts. To give their blood to their gods, they believed they were going to given an elaborate after life. However, in order to reach the Biblical Heaven, they believed they must be sacrificed or killed. Mayan's Greatest Achievements

Obsession with Time

The Mayan began to advance in mathematics and astronomy, therefore they are known as the greatest civilization. They created their own numerical system based on three symbols; "A dot for one, a bar for five and a shell which represented zero" (Barbezat, S., 2007, pp.4). They made a calendar that is studied still, due to the complexity they used. They were an intelligent civilization and used match frequently, but they never used algebra.

Masters of Astronomy

New drawings or hieroglyphics were created, once they meet other Mayan tribes. They built an effective and advanced way to communicate, amongst themselves. Many writings are believed to be written about their calendar or the stars. Now, scientists are been able to read most of their writings and prophecies. Most scholars believe that the Mayan calendar stops on December 21, 2012 (December212012. com, 2007) and some believe the age and our world will end on this day. No one knows if the prophesies and calendar is true, whether the Mayan's are wrong or right...Only time will tell!

Architectural Treasures

Once they designed buildings made of stone, they made cities to sustain their way of life. There are many temples and cities that still stand today, like the one in Mexico, Belize, or Yucatan peninsula. Mayan Cities have been abandoned and slightly damaged, due to invasions and the nature's evolution over time. Impressive hieroglyphics are carved into stone, wood, terra cotta, and various other objects. These drawings are painted in several different colors and used to tell a story or a religious belief. So, future generations can learn and teach the Mayan's story.

Conclusion

Therefore, the Mayan could be the greatest society that the world has known. Every civilization owes them for their advancements in language, mathematics, or astronomy. Maybe, scientists learn more about their religions and the place that they called home. Also, the Mayan may have more secrets that scientist haven't unlocked yet. Only more exploration can help the world truly understand their way of life. Soon, the world will know, if they have truly predicted the end of this earth age and life as we know it!
References

Barbezat, S. (2007) About: Mexico for Visitors...The Maya
Retrieved on the World Wide Web on March 27, 2007

http://gomexico.about.com/od/historyculture/p/maya.htm

December212012.com (2007) MayanProphecy 2012: Entering Our Galactic Day

Retrieved on World Wide Web on March 27, 2007

http://www.december212012.com/articles/mayan/7.shtml

Hooker, R. (1996) Civilizations in America: Maya

Retrieved on the World Wide Web on March 27, 2007

http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CIVAMRCA/MAYAS.HTM

Paige, J. (2006) Native American Articles: Maya Culture

Retrieved on the World Wide Web on March 27, 2007

http://www.native-languages.org/composition/maya-culture.html.