About the Maya
The Maya and Decline of the Maya One
of
the greatest civilizations the world has ever known once centered in
what
is now Guatemala, and Mexico, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras a region
known as Mesoamerica. The area is 325,000 square kilometers.
The
Mayan
Empire developed about 350BC in the tropical lowlands of northern
Guatemala
and adjacent Belize reached its peak from about 250AD to 900 A.D.
In the 8th and 9th centuries AD Classic Maya culture began to decline, with most of the cities of the central lowlands abandoned. Warfare, ecological depletion of croplands, and drought are suspected reasons for the decline. There is archaeological evidence of warfare, famine, and revolt against the elite at some of the lowlands sites. The Maya cities of the northern lowlands in Yucatan continued to flourish for centuries more; some of the important sites like Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Coba, and Calakmul. Chichen Itza went into decline as ruler over Yucatán shifted to Mayapan. Mayapan was the political capital of the Maya in the Yucatan Peninsula from about the late 1220AD until 1440AD after the decline of the ruling dynasties of Chichen and Uxmal. Mayapan ruled all of Yucatan until a revolt in 1450, when many began to city states until the Spanish Conquest. Post-Classic Maya states also continued to thrive in the southern highlands of what is now Guatemala. One of the Maya kingdoms in this area, the Quiché and others are responsible for the most of Mayan work of Popol Vuh and other history and mythology. The Spanish started their conquest of the Maya lands in the 1520s. A few Maya states offered long fierce resistance; Spanish authorities did not subdue the last Maya city-state until 1697. The Spanish American Colonies were largely cut off from the outside world, and the ruins of the great ancient cities were little known except to locals. In 1839 however, American traveler, John Lloyd Stephens, hearing reports of lost ruins in the jungle, visited Copan, Palenque, and other sites with English architect & draftsman Frederick Catherwood. Their illustrated accounts of the ruins sparked strong interest in the region and the people, and they have once again regained their position as a vital link in Mesoamerican heritage. In
many
rural areas population of Guatemala and Belize the population is Maya
by
descent and Mayan dialects remain their primary language. Also Mayan
culture
still exists in areas in rural Yucatan and Chiapas, Mexico. More
Information on Maya...Tikal and
Guatemala, Belize and Mexico
The Maya were the first people to settle the coastal areas of Yucatan Arriving in the region over 4,000 years ago, the Maya developed one of the most advanced and sophisticated civilizations of their time. The Maya are credited to be the first people to use the number zero in mathematics. They developed several calendars including a 365-day calendar that was more accurate that any other calendar in use at that time. The Maya also created an elaborate hieroglyphic writing system to record history and predict the future. The ancient Maya left behind remains of many brilliant cities that housed pyramids, palaces and temples. Ruins that are representative of their rich culture and religious beliefs. Thousands of Mayan sites have been uncovered. More than the total number of sites in Egypt One of the most important and impressive Maya sites is Tikal in Guatemala. Tikal is located in the heart of the lower Yucatan jungle. Part of the Maya Biosphere Tikal is a truly spectacular, an inspiring sight. Not only its dense jungle setting, Tikal is known for five of the largest standing temples in any one Maya site. Below
are a few of the more than 4000 ruins located. Guatemala, Mexico,
Belize, El Salvador and Honduras a region known as Meso-america. The
area covers about 325,000 square kilometers. The Maya
occupied the Central
American continent, including the south parts of Middle
Periods [1000-400
BC] - Full-fledged farming, traded goods such as obsidian, jade, and
exotic
feathers, Olmec contacts, Nakbe between 600-400 BC. Late
periods [400
BC-AD 250]-Constructed the first massive
palaces, at Nakbe and El Mirador in what is now northern Classic
[AD 250-900] - A writing system developed,
calendars and royal lineages at Post-Classic [AD 900-1500] - Some
centers abandoned, written records dercease, Puuc hill country
flourishes, Some
rural towns continue to prosper until the Spanish arrive in 1517
This is a basic look into the
evolution of the Maya from the perspective of time. The information in
this
format was gathered from literally hundreds of sources and years of
research by
the author. They are best guess dates,
however, any one of these dates could start a quarrel at a cocktail
party where
educated guests are invited, so be careful. Also, as research continues
dates
shown here clearly will change. Facts represented herein are based on
current
information, for example, the findings of carbon dating at Cuello
recently
moved the start date of the Maya back 600 years. This dramatic change
was based
on one new piece of information. 3114
B.C. On August 12th, the world is created, according to the Maya Long
Count. 2600
B.C. Maya civilization begins to
form. Cuello, in 2000
B.C. Peak of the Olmec civilization. 1500
B.C. Start of the Pre-Classic period.
Lamanai, in 700
B.C. Writing is developed in 400
B.C. The earliest known solar
calendars carved in stone are
in used by the Maya, although they may have been used by the Maya
before this
date. 400
B.C. Pieces of pottery correspond to
this date at 300
B.C. The Maya adopt a hierarchical
society ruled by nobles and
kings. Maya cities 100
B.C. The city of A.D. 100 A.D. The decline of the Olmecs. 150 A.D. Emergence of the Río Bec
style of
architecture in Becán, Xpuhil and Chicanná. 200 A.D. The Classic period starts. 292 A.D. Maya date recorded on stela 29
at 300 A.D. Cities along the 400 A.D. The Maya highlands fall to 500 A.D. The Maya city of 600 A.D. An unknown event destroys the
civilization
at 683 A.D. Pacal dies and is buried in the 738 A.D. Copán is conquered by
Quiriguá and Copán's
king is captured. 751 A.D. Long-standing Maya alliances
begin to break
down. Trade between Maya city-states declines, and inter-state conflict
increases. 800 A.D. Toltecs invade Chichén
Itzá. Oxkintok
reaches its peak becoming a major power in the northern lowlands.
Cobá reaches
its peak and becomes a major power in the east. The beginning of the
end for
the southern cities as they go into major decline and many are
abandoned. 869 A.D. Construction ceases in 899 A.D. 900 A.D. Classic Period ends, with the
collapse of
the southern lowland cities. Maya cities in the northern Yucatán
continue to
thrive. The Post-Classic begins. Comalcalco's peak. 900 A.D. Terminal Classic begins and
lasts until
1000 A.D. This era represents the collapse of the Classic Maya,
especially in
the Petén and along the 976 A.D. The Maya tradition became mixed
with the
Toltec. 1000 A.D. Decline of the Puuc region. 1194 A.D. A conflict between
Chichén Itzá, 1200 A.D. Northern Maya cities begin to be
abandoned.
The Dresden Codex is written at Chichén Itzá between this
date and 1250 A.D.
Metallurgy appears at Chichén Itzá. 1224 A.D. The city of 1230 A.D. The Grolier Codex is written. 1244 A.D. The Itzá abandon
Chichén Itzá for reasons
unknown. 1263 A.D. The Itzá begin building
the city of 1283 A.D. Mayapán becomes the civil
capital of the
Yucatán. 1441 A.D. The rebellion of Mayapán
and the Xiu of
Uxmal attacked Mayapan and massacre the Cocom. 1461 A.D. Mayapán is abandoned. 1470 A.D Iximché, Capital of the
Chaquiels is
created. 1511 A.D. Spaniards Gonzalo Guerrero
Jerónimo de
Aguilar are shipwrecked on the easter shore of Yucatán. Guerrero
marries into a
Maya noble family and becomes foe of the Spaniards. Aguilar goes on to
serve as
interpreter for Hernán Cortés. 1517 A.D. The Spanish, under Hernandez de
Cordoba
arrive on the shores of Yucatán. With the Spanish come smallpox,
influenza and
measles which kill 90 per cent of 1519 A.D. Hernán Cortés
begins exploring Yucatán. 1524 A.D. Cortés meets the
Itzá people, the last of
the Maya people to remain unconquered. The Spanish leave the
Itzá alone until
the seventeenth century. 1528 A.D. The Spanish under Francisco de
Montejo
begin their conquest of the northern Maya. The Maya fight back keeping
the
Spanish at bay for several years. 1541 A.D. The Spanish are finally able to
put an end
to Maya resistance. Revolt continues, however, to plague the Spaniards
off and
on for the rest of the century. Tayasal becomes the last functioning
Maya city,
and remained independent until 1697 A.D. 1542 A.D. The Spanish establish a capital
city at
Mérida in Yucatán. 1554 A.D. The Popol Vuh is recorded by
Quiché Maya
rulers using Roman characters. 1605 A.D. The Annals of Cakchiquel were
written in
the Cakchiquel language. They are similar in content to the Popol Vuh. 1695 A.D. The ruins of 1712 A.D. The Maya of the 1724 A.D. The Spanish Crown abolishes the
right to
forced Maya labor, as long as they agreed to convert the Maya to
Christianity. 1821 A.D. 1822 A.D. Antonío del Río's
explorations of 1839 A.D. John Lloyd Stephens and
Frederick
Catherwood begin explorations into Maya regions. 1847 A.D. The Yucatán Maya rise up
in the "war
of the castes". The rebellion is so successful that the Maya almost
manage
to take over the entire 1850 A.D. The "talking cross" of 1860 A.D. The Yucatán Maya rebel
again. 1864 A.D. Discovery of a jade plaque
inscribed with a
date of 320 A.D. by workers on the 1910 A.D. The Mexican Revolution is
started by the
Maya near 1946 A.D. American Giles Healey becomes
the first
non-Maya ever to see 2012 A.D. December 22nd the Maya calendar ends.
According to Maya chronology the Earth as we know it is to be destroyed
by
catastrophic earth quakes. Mayan Ruins In Guatemala A few others are listed below. Tikal Guatemala From the top of Temple IV, dense jungle canopy spreads to the horizon in every direction. Some 215 feet below lies Tikal, the greatest of the Mayan cities, much of it still buried by trees and vines that cover most of its mound structures. The ruined roof combs of Tikal's huge temples and palaces rise island like above the canopy. Generations of archaeologists have worked to excavate this vast city since a Spanish governor rediscovered it in 1848. There are structures dating to 400BC.The most outstanding buildings include six very large stepped pyramids supporting temples on their peaks. They were numbered geographically by archeologists. They were built during the city's height from the late seventh to the ninth centuries. Temple I was built around 695; Temple III in 810AD; The largest, Temple-pyramid IV, some 72 meters (230 feet) high, was finished in near 720AD, Temple V about 750AD, and Temple VI in 766AD. In the 8th and 9th centuries AD Classic Maya culture began to decline, with most of the cities of the central lowlands abandoned. Warfare, ecological depletion of croplands, and drought or some are suspected reasons for the decline. There is archaeological evidence of warfare, famine, and revolt against the elite at some of the lowlands sites. The Maya cities of the northern lowlands in Yucatan continued to flourish for centuries more; some of the important sites like Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Coba, and Calakmul. Mayapan was the political capital of the Maya in the Yucatan Peninsula from about the late 1220s until 1440s after the decline of the ruling dynasties of Chichen and Uxmal. Mayapan ruled all of Yucatan until a revolt in 1450. when many began to city states until the Spanish Conquest. Post-Classic Maya states also continued to thrive in the southern highlands of what is now Guatemala. One of the Maya kingdoms in this area, the Quiché and others are responsible for the most of Mayan work of Popol Vuh and other history and mythology. Researchers have also learned that the Maya developed an advanced civilization as early as 400 BC, At their peak, between AD 600 and 800, the Maya built enormous monumental cities like Tikal and may have numbered in the millions. Most of the great cities were abandoned between late 800 and 900. For the past century and a half, archaeologists have been trying to figure out why. Archaeologists, have many theories about the Maya collapse Most moved away from believing any one cause and no longer believe that it was due entirely to warfare or internal revolt or soil exhaustion. Most agree whatever caused the downfall was very complex. At Tikal, the collapse appears to have occurred over many decades. Tikal was weakened by the shifting of trade from inland rivers and trails it controlled to several coast line routes. Also being dominated by rivals on the coast of what is now southern Mexico. Drought, warfare, and environmental degradation may slowly have finished it off. Cancuen Located in Peten, Guatemala, Cancuen is a remote site 70 miles southwest of Tikal. It is one of the most exciting finds and having an almost 170-room palace buried. The palace - a three-story complex built around 10 courtyards - is the largest Mayan palace ever discovered. It's so large, that earlier expeditions to Cancuen just thought it to be a jungle covered hill. Aguateca Almost always accessed by boat from Sayaxche. Aguateca, a fortified city constructed on high escarpments above the Lake Petexbatun basin. The site is partially reconstructed and you can go to nearby caves. Theres a deep cut in the limestone, a result of tectonic forces, and was used as a defensive wall by the Mayas. Both Aguateca & Dos Pilas are usually visited on the same trip. From Flores /El Eremate, Guatemala area plan a very long day or an over night trip by car and boat. Dos Pilas An important Mayan City that extended its rule on Tikal at a certain time, A long tour taking about Located in what is now Peten, Guatemala. It was founded as a subserviant site to the great city of Tikal in 629. It is believed that the king of Tikal installed his brother as goveneror of the new city. Dos Pilas was later sacked by invaders from the rival city state of Kalakmul located in now the yucatan part of Mexico, Kalakmul leaders then reinstalled the king as a puppet ruler. Archeologists think the king then began a protracted war against Tikal, eventually sacking the city. Following a campaign of conquest, Dos Pilas became a major power. Ongoing conflict in the region continued and soon destabilized the power following the defeat of their Kalakmul allies and in 760 the city was abandoned. From Flores, Guatemala area plan an overnight trip by car and boat. Uaxactún Ruins Located just 18 miles north of Tikal. Since1982 Uaxactún has been park of Tikal National Park was expanded to included the ruins of Uaxactun within its boundrys. Tourists travel here for the Winter Solstice. Believed to be the oldest of the Maya cites. Dating back to about 328BC. Archaeologists think this is where the Maya consolidated their culture; where their writing system was perfected and where their calendars started. It was discovered in 1916. Theres also a small museum in the small hotel, El Chiclero, located in the adjoining village of Uaxactún. From Flores area, Guatemala area, plan a 7 to 8 hr trip by car. Yaxhá Ruins The city is composed of two sectors of rectangular structures laid in such a manner that they form streets and plazas, Yaxha is located on a beautiful lake between Belize border and El Remate, about 45 miles from Flores. The studies indicate that it was inhabited sometime between the Preclassic and Postclassic. On a small island of Lake Yaxha, the ruins of Topoxte a Post classic city was found. Yaxha and Topoxte may be reached from El Remate at the end of Lake Peten Itza or Flores area. Theres also a small museum at the emtrance to the site. It is easily accessible from El Remate or Flores, Guatemala area. Plan a 6 to 7 hr trip by car.. El Mirador Ruins Located in the northern area of Peten, Guatemala. The El Mirador site was so deep in the jungle that almost no one paid attention until archaeologist Ian Graham spent 10 days there in 1962 making the first map. Further investigations surprised archeologists when they found that a large amount of construction of the structures was not like the large Maya classic cities of the area like Tikal and Uaxactun, but rather from centuries earlier in the Pre-Classic era. El Mirador flourished from about the 10th century BC and reached its classic period between 3rd century BC and 2nd century AD, with a peak population of 70,000 or 80,000 people. Followed by periods of possible abandonment.and followed by re-occupation and further construction in the late classic era, and complete abandonment near the end of the 9th century. The site covers some 10 square miles. There are a number of structures, consisting of a large low with a set of step-pyramids. The most visible structures are two huge complexes.; One called El Tigre is the tallest pyramid some 180 feet high. Another other is called La Danta, about 230 feet high, making it the tallest Maya structure ever found when including the large platform the pyramid is set upon. The platform an is an artificially built base covering some 15,000 meters of ground. Most of the structures were originally coverd with cut stone and then decorated with huge stucco faces depicting the deities of Maya mythology. The site is the center of a series of raised limestone pedestrian causeways, one linking it to another mayan site named Nakbé 15 km away. Seibal ..(often referred to as Ceibal) is a ruin site of the Maya civilization located in southern Peten, Guatemala. Ceibal is located on the Pasion River, a branch of the Usumacinta River. The site was occupied from preclassic to the late classic. Occupied during the 9th century BC, and began to decline in the 1st century AD, and is believed to be abandoned during the 6th and early 7th century, and later reoccupied and grew again. Ceibal some of the most beautiful and best preserved stelae of the Postclassic period have been found here along with ceramic pieces and numerous pottery figurines. The origin of the founders is still unknown, but the first settlements date back as far as 800 BC. The site was at its peak from about 830AD to 890AD, with an estimated population of about 10,000. It was abandoned again around 930AD. It continued functioning and constructing new monuments. Many of Ceibal's last constructed monuments show artistic influence from central Mexico and from the Gulf of Mexico coast; it may have been a capital of the Putun Maya. From
Flores, Guatemala area plan a 6 to 8 hr trip by car and boat.
From Flores, Guatemala area plan a 3 day 2 night trip by 4 wheel vehicle. Yaxha Ruins Zots Ruins From Flores, Guatemala
area
plan a 3 day 2 night
trip by 4
wheel dr.
vehicle. Located a few kilometers of the main road, Quirigua near Puerto Barrios to the East of Guatemala City Quirigua sits in the Motagua Valley in the heart of the banana plantations. This is a site noted for its spectacular stelae,some large zoomorphal stones and a temple. It was Believed to be constructed within a period of 65 years between 746 to 810 AD. There are twelve stelae. The largest stela is carved from one huge block of stone quarried by the Maya. Known as Stela "E" it measures 35 feet high, 5 feet wide and 5.5 feet thick. It weighs 65 tons. The largest ever discovered in the all Maya ruins. The zoomorphic structures are altars that bear commemorative dates. The last carved date in Quirigua 810 AD is foun here. After this date, the history of this site stops. In 1979, it was declared a "Monument of the World’s Heritage" by UNESCO. The Mayan Ruins In Belize. A few others are listed below. The Belize Department of Archeology had identified more than 600 sites. A few are listed below.. Xunantunich is located In what is Belize just afew miles from the border of Guatemala. These are ruins of a small city which of lost 80% of its population during the 9th century, but struggled on for another 100 years. University of California studies say there's no evidence of warfare or mass graves and their social and political system seems to have slowly fallen apart and led to a shift in birth and death rates. The city probably slowly withered away. Access form San Ignacio, Belize by small ferry boat and car. If from Flores, Guatemala 6 to 8 hr trip. Caracol Caracol is locate near the western border of Belize. Other cities appear to have collapsed overnight. Arlen and Diane Chase of the University of Central Florida have been leading digs at Caracol, an enormous in western Belize. But unlike Tikal its rival, Caracol appears to have been thriving up to the end. "Their trade networks seem to have been doing quite well, Diane Chase says. “But then it's abandoned very quickly." There are indications that the city may have been sacked, including signs of burning and an unburied child was found sprawled in the debris of a central plaza. Access
by car from San Ignacio, Belize If entering from Flores, Guatemala plan
along day or overnight stay. Chichen Itza Chichen Itza. Located in northern Mexico’s Yucatan state Chichen Itza is the largest of the Mayan Pre-Columbian archaeological sites. The name meaning mouth of the wells of the Itza people. Others believe it means Seven Great Rulers. The site contains many fine stone buildings in various states of preservation; the buildings were formerly used as palaces, temples, markets, baths, and ballcourts. Although there are no above-ground rivers, The Yucatán has many natural sink holes or cenotes which providing plentiful water year round for it occupants. At Chichen there are two of these cenotes. Cenote of Sacrifice, the more famous was sacred to the Maya rain god Chac. Many Offerings of jade, pottery etc. were thrown into the great well as offerings to Chac, and occasionally during times of desperate drought even human sacrifice. Chichen Itza was a major center by around 600AD or about in the middle of the Maya Classic period, but the city saw its height and power after the other Maya sites of the central lowlands (Tikal Area) to the south had already collapsed. It is believed in about 987AD a Toltec king named Quetzalcoatl arrived here with an army from central Mexico, and (with Maya allies) made Chichén Itzá his capital. The art and architecture from this period shows an interesting mix of Maya and Toltec styles. Chichen's "Temple of the Warriors" was clearly built as a copy of Temple B at the Toltec capital of Tul.a, Dominating the center of Chichén is the Temple of Kukulcan (the Maya name for Quetzalcoatl), is also referred to as "El Castillo" This step pyramid with a ground plan of square terraces with stairways up each of the 4 sides to the temple on top. Very large sculptures of Plumed Serpents run down the sides of the northern stairway. With difficult work of archeologists, a doorway at the base of the stairway leading to a tunnel, from which you can climb the steps of the earlier structure of El Castillo under the current one, up to the room on the top where you can see the Kings Jaguar Throne, carved of stone and painted red with jade spots. Built into one of the exterior walls of the ballcourt is the Temple of the Jaguar, which features another jaguar thron. This one was not buried for a thousand years, its red paint and jade spots dissapeared many years earlier.. Chichen Itza also has a variety of other structures densely packed in the ceremonial center of about 5km sq. or abpot 2 sq.miles) and several outlying sites The Maya chronicles record that in 1221AD a revolt and civil war took place and l evidence shows that the wooden roofs of the great market and the Temple of the Warriors were burnt. The site was never completely abandoned, but the population declined and no major new constructions were built. In 1531AD The Spanish conquest claimed Chichén Itzá and planned to make it the capital of Spanish Yucatán, but after a few months a native Maya revolt drove its forces from the land. Chichen Itza is a very popular tourist destination; it is the most visited of the Maya archaelogical sites. Today it is also World Heritage Site. Easy
access form Mexico by bus or small plane. Yaxchilán. A great Mayan city that is cleverly located in an almost complete loop along the bank of the great Usumacinta River which divides Guatemala and Mexico. Located on the Mexican side of the border, this site has been cleared, and some of the palaces and temples have been restored. Yaxchilán's beautiful stelae for some reason were carved in deeper relief than at most Maya sites. On one of the steps of Temple 33 AD, a carved stone was discovered which shows Yaxchilán ruler Bird Jaguar playing a ball game. Believed to be carved in the 8th.Century. Most tours to this great site can be arranged from Palenque, Mexico. Access form Mexico by boat or small plane. If entering from Flores, Guatemala area be prepared to spend at least 3 days excursion. There are several other other temples, tombs, etc and an interesting stone walk over the small River some distance below an aquaduct that supplied water to the site.. Like other Classic Mayan city-states sometime during the 8th century, Palenque came under stress and no new construction appear in the sometime after 800AD An agricultural population continued here for a some generations, amd later the site was abandoned and over grown by forest. Theres also saw a small museum built at the site. Palenque Ruins is very popular for tourists. Easy
access form Mexico by bus or small plane. If arriving from Flores,
Guatemala area there are daily minibuses buses. Plan to spend 2
traveling and 1 day at the ruins. Excursions Palenque town
is located just 20 minutes fro the ruins. A few Other Mayan Ruin sites in Mexico Bonampak,
Calakmul, Coba, Tulum, Uxmal Mayan Ruins in Honduras Copan located in the Copan Valley about 60 kilometers from the border with Guatemala is considered a classic Maya center with ruins covering about forty acres including an acropolis with five plazas. The Maya of the Copan Valley are believed to have occupied the valley starting in the Preclassic Period 900 BC. Copan was occupied until the Spanish conquest. Copan was geographically, economically and culturally distinct from other Maya lowland sites. Copan started building during the 5th century. The first dated monument at Copan is 465AD. During the next 200 years, the valley underwent drastic changes. Their economy changed from hunting and fishing to farming. In 667AD, an Astronomical city was built. This is where most of the temples and other structures were located. During the next decades, all efforts went into building the Astronomical city. Copan has always been referred to as the most artistically advanced and elaborate of all the Maya cities. Its rich stone sculptures and intricate hieroglyphs make Copan a feature attraction in 1980 UNESCO declared Copan a heritage of humanity site. |
