Maya Civilization-The Mayan Culture
The Maya civilization emerged around 2500 B.C. when a group of indigenous people in Mesoamerica settled across the region, extending from Mexico to Central America. The Maya civilization encompasses distinct periods, including the Archaic Period, the Olmec Period, the Zapotec Period, and the Teotihuacan Period.
These periods collectively form the foundation of what is recognized as the Maya civilization.
A notable aspect about the Maya people is that they did not refer to themselves as “Mayans.” Instead, they identified themselves by ethnicity and language, such as Quiche/Kʼicheʼ.
One globally renowned element of Maya culture is the Mayan Calendar, with the long count calendar gaining particular fame, leading to misconceptions about the world ending in 2012. Contrary to this belief, the long count calendar was designed to symbolize a new beginning known as Baktun. Additionally, the Maya utilized other calendars, including the Haab calendar and the Tzolkin calendar, each serving distinct purposes.
While pyramids exist worldwide, there’s a hypothesis that the knowledge to construct these structures originated from a single source.
Regarding the Maya civilization, they are renowned for their impressive pyramids, such as those found in Tikal, contributing to the rich architectural legacy of the Maya people.