THE ANCIENT MAYA CULTURE
Of the many pre-Columbian civilizations of the western hemisphere, the Maya civilization alone
developed a writing systemthat provided a complete expression of their language, thus they
are the only indigenous people of the Americas with a written history. While only four of their
folding-bark books survived the fanatical purges of the Spanish priests, their writings in stucco,
stone and pottery remain. But the voices of the ancient Maya stood silent for centuries, waiting
for the advances in decipherment made in the past three decades.
WHAT DEFINES THE MAYA?
The Maya civilization was never united under one governing body like the Aztec. Instead,
independent city-states shared many traits and beliefs that categorized them as Maya. In
addition to their writing system, they had a calendar system that consisted of a Long Count
divided into five cycles, along with a 260 day ritual cycle and a 365 day solar calendar. They had
a comprehensive knowledge of naked-eye astronomy and charted the movements of the moon,
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and the constellations through the night sky, and marked the
position of the sun along the horizon.
A UNIQUE VIEW OF THE UNIVERSE
The ancient Maya had a complex pantheon of deities whom they worshipped and offered
human sacrifices. Rulers were believed to be descendants of the gods and their blood was the
ideal sacrifice, either through personal bloodletting or the sacrifice of captives of royal blood.
The Maya vision of the universe is divided into multiple levels, above and below earth,
positioned within the four directions of north, south, east and west. After death, the soul was
believed to go to the Underworld, Xibalba (shee bal bah), a place of fright where sinister gods
tested and tricked their unfortunate visitors.
AGRICULTURE AND DIET
While the Maya diet varies, depending on the local geography, maize remains the primary
staple now as it was centuries ago. Made nutritionally complete with the addition of lime, the
kernels are boiled, ground with a metate and mano, then formed by hand into flat tortillas that
are cooked on a griddle that is traditionally supported on three stones. Chile peppers, beans
and squash are still grown in the family farm plot (milpa) right along with the maize, maximizing
each crop's requirements for nutrients, sun, shade and growing surface. Agriculture was based
on slash and burn farming which required that a field be left fallow for 5 to 15 years after only 2
to 5 years of cultivation. But there is evidence that fixed raised fields and terraced hillsides
were also used in appropriate areas.
ARCHITECTURE
Limestone structures, faced with lime stucco, were the hallmark of ancient Maya
architecture. The Maya developed several unique building innovations, including the corbel
arch which was a false arch achieved by stepping each successive block, from opposite sides,
closer to the center, and capped at the peak. Tombs were often encased within or beneath
Maya structures. Frequently new temples were built over existing structures. A honeycombed
roofcomb towered above many structures, providing a base for painted plaster that was the
Maya equivalent of the billboard. In addition to temples, most Maya sites had multi-roomed
structures that probably served as royal palaces as well as centers for government affairs.
Historically significant events, such as accessions, the capture or sacrifice of royal victims and
the completion of the twenty year katun cycle, were recorded on stone stelae and tablets.
SOCIAL STRUCTURE
There was a distinct class system in ancient Maya times. Between the ruling class and the
farmer/laborer, there must have been an educated nobility who were scribes, artists and
architects. Evidence of their skill and innovation remains in works of stone, stucco, jade, bone,
pottery, obsidian and flint. There is no evidence of a priesthood and it is likely that priestly
duties were performed by the ruler.
MAYA RELIGION & GODS
Gods of Nature: The Mayas worshipped the gods of nature every day. Worshiping their gods
was a huge part of their daily life.
Some of their gods included the God of Rain, Lady Rainbow, the God of Maize (corn), and of
course, the God of Sun.
Without the help of these important gods, there would be no crops and everyone would starve.
Afterlife: The Mayas believed in an afterlife. Commoners buried their dead inside their homes,
under the floor. That way, they could live with their ancestors and keep their ancestors easily
posted on their daily life. The Mayas believed they would be compensated. If they had a rough
time or a rough life, this would be made up to them in their afterlife.
Nobles were buried in tombs.
The Underworld: Maya religion was far more complicated than the simple worship of gods of
nature. The Maya world was composed of 3 layers - the Heavens, the Earth, and the Underworld,
sometimes called the Otherworld or the Place of Awe.
The Mayas conducted many ceremonies to keep the demons, creatures and gods in the
Underworld, where they belonged.
Masks: During certain religious ceremonies, priests dressed up like jaguars. Priests wore scary
masks as they faced the inhabitants of the Underworld. Priests wanted to present themselves as
equally scary and powerful.
Mirrors: All of the men, but none of the women, used mirrors. In the ancient Maya world,
looking into a mirror was an act of courage. The Maya believed that monsters from the Place of
Awe could reach through the mirror, and yank you into the Otherworld.
Priests: Maya daily life and culture was wrapped around their religion. The priests decided
nearly everything in the Mayas daily life. The priests decided when to plant, when to marry, and
who to sacrifice.
Religion was at the heart of nearly all Maya activities. The Mayas believed in a great many gods
and goddesses. They believed their priests could talk to the gods. That gave the priests incredible
power.
The priests, along with the leaders in each city-state, were the most powerful people in the Maya
civilization. Priests decided nearly everything in the Maya daily life. They decided when to
plant, when people could marry, marry, and whom to sacrifice.
MAYA GOVERNMENT
One noble family controlled each city. When the ruling noble died, his job passed to
his son. No one else got a shot at it. The noble families’ right to rule originated
with the Hero Twins. Each noble family was supposedly a direct descendant of one of
the Hero Twins. That gave them the justification they needed to keep their job. They
were directly related to the gods.
The ruling noble did not do his job alone. Part of his job was to select a council of
elders and warriors to help him rule. Other people were additionally selected to help
run the government. Some people were chosen to enforce laws. Others were chosen to
act as judges. So the Mayas ruled themselves via a system of city-states.
Like the ancient Greeks, the Maya city-states were both independent and intertwined.
The Maya people all spoke the same language. They used the same system of
counting. They worshiped the same gods. They told the same myths. They had the
same laws. They wore the same style clothing. They thought of themselves as one
people.
Unlike the ancient Greeks, Maya cities were interconnected with marvelous
roads. Archaeologists believe that once, long ago, there were hundreds of Maya cities.
Each Maya city had a palace, some temples, some pyramids, a central marketplace,
and of course, a ball court.
The Mayas built an empire. The Maya civilization lasted for 1500 years. No one
knows why this empire failed. It remains a mystery.
MAYA CRIME & PUNISHMENT
Maya law was very strict. Punishments varied, but the laws were pretty fair.
If you stole something and you were caught, you became the captive of your victim. If
you committed a lesser crime, your hair would be cut short. Short hair was a sign of
disgrace. It was possible that, as a punishment, all your possessions might be sold at
auction.
The Mayas held trials. Evidence was presented against you or for you. This evidence
was presented before a judge. It did not matter who you were. If you committed a
crime, and you were found guilty after a judge had heard your case, you would be
punished. This was rigidly enforced.
DAILY LIFE
Class Society: The Maya had a class society. There were slaves, peasants, craftsmen, nobility,
priests, and leaders. There were also warriors. At the top were the nobles and priests. The middle
class had the craftsmen, traders, and warriors. At the bottom were farmers, other workers, and
slaves.
Mayan Social Structure
Craftsmen: The Mayas wove beautiful fabrics. They made musical instruments like drums, shell
horns, and castanets. Their statues were incredible and huge. Archaeologists can tell a great deal
about the ancient Maya fromtheir wonderful pottery and well crafted clay figures. The art they
created honored their gods, their leaders, and their daily life.
Slaves: Slaves were people who were captured from warring tribes. Slaves worked in the homes
of noble families. Some slaves cared for the children. Some cleaned the house. Still others
worked in the fields.
LEADERS, NOBLES & FASHION
Leaders: A different noble family ruled each city. The Mayas were governed by city-state. The
same family ruled forever. The crown was handed from father to son forever. Their right to rule
came from the fact that they were direct descendants of the Hero Twins. They were the kids of
the kids of the kids of the original
Nobles: The nobles were all the people who were not actually the rulers, but were of royal blood
- the brothers and sisters and cousins and aunts and uncles of the ruling family. Nobles believed
they were so important that, when they appeared in public, their attendants would hold a cloth in
front of their face. That way, no one could talk to them directly.
High Fashion: Maya nobles spent a great deal of time on their personal appearance. They bathed
often. They pierced their ears. They covered their bodies with tattoos. They painted their bodies.
They loved fancy colorful embroidery added to their clothing. They loved straight black hair and
high cheekbones. They loved jewelry.
Hats: Most of all, they loved hats! Hats were very important. The Mayas believed that the bigger
the hat, the more important the wearer. Some of the headdresses worn by nobles were taller than
they were.
As in most ancient cultures, the nobles life was one of leisure. They had the time to spend on
what they believed made them look beautiful.
CRAFTSMAN & SLAVES
Class Society: The Maya had a class society. There were slaves, peasants, craftsmen, nobility,
priests, and leaders. There were also warriors. At the top were the nobles and priests. The middle
class had the craftsmen, traders, and warriors. At the bottom were farmers, other workers, and
slaves.
Craftsmen: The Mayas wove beautiful fabrics. They made musical instruments like drums, shell
horns, and castanets. Their statues were incredible and huge. Archaeologists can tell a great deal
about the ancient Maya fromtheir wonderful pottery and well crafted clay figures. The art they
created honored their gods, their leaders, and their daily life.
Slaves: Slaves were people who were captured from warring tribes. Slaves worked in the homes
of noble families. Some slaves cared for the children. Some cleaned the house. Still others
worked in the fields.
PYRAMIDS
A Maya pyramid is a base with four triangular sides. Without metal tools, they built pyramids
that were 200 feet high.
The Mayas built two kinds of pyramids. Both pyramids had steep steps leading up to a flat top,
but only one type of pyramid was designed to be used. The other was designed to be admired - it
was designed to honor a god. Tikal, one of the major Mayas cities, had an especially large
number of pyramids. Some were designed to be climbed, and some were not.
The type of pyramid that was designed to be used was used by the priests. Priests climbed the
pyramids to conduct ceremonies on the steps where everyone could see them. The most
important ceremonies were conducted at the very top of the pyramids. Because some ceremonies
were held at the top of pyramids, Maya pyramids had flat tops.
The other kind of pyramid looked remarkably similar. These pyramids also had flat tops and
steep steps, but the steps were not to be used. These pyramids were built to honor a god. Of
course, you could climb the steps, although they were very steep. You might even find a
doorway here and there. The doorways led to tunnels that went nowhere. Some tunnels were
rigged with deadly traps.
The Maya people knew which pyramids were designed to be used and which were designed to be
honored. But archaeologists today must tread very carefully, because it is sometimes hard to tell
the two different types of Maya pyramids apart.
MAYA FESTIVALS
Throughout the Maya Empire,
every 20th day, there was a religious festival.
Festivals: The most important event in the cities were the religious festivals. People who lived
near a major city would travel to the city to attend the festivals, see the ball games and shop in
the market.
Every 20th day, there was a religious festival. Priests would climb the pyramid steps, dressed in
fierce masks, to please the gods. Wearing huge headdresses, Maya dancers performed in front of
the Pyramid or the Temple or both.The Mayas are famous for their dances and
their headdresses. The movement of the dance would make their headdresses jingle and rattle. It
was quite a site.
Bloodletting: During the festivals, there were human and animal sacrifices. Not all sacrifices
ended in death. The Mayas communicated with their gods by bloodletting, tribute, and worship.
Occasionally, they used human sacrifice. More often, bloodletting was a personal sacrifice.
People would stab or prick themselves. It was their own blood that was offered as a tribute to
their gods during worship. When nobles offered blood, a drop was smeared on a bit of bark. The
bark was burned and the smoke floated to heaven where it could be consumed by the gods.