Mayan Culture. One of the most important civilizations of the pre-Columbian Mesoamerica was the Mayan culture that extended by different region from modern Mexico – Yucatan, Logwood, Quintana Roo, Chiapas and Tabasco. Mayan centers flourished in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador.
The majority of the investigations agrees in indicating that the first Mayans arose from the coast of the gulf of Mexico and that soon began a migratory flow took that them to expand, between 800 BC 1500 AD, by zones of Chiapas, the coast of Guatemala, the Guatemalan Peten and the Yucatan Peninsula. Like practically all the civilizations of Mesoamerica then, the main sustenance of the Mayan was the maize culture.
The Mayan culture had developed a sophisticated calendar, a system of picture writing, a style of architecture, sculpture and metalwork, as well as a highly organized government. Without question, the Mayan greatly influenced the later development of Mesoamerican culture.
Most artistic and cultural achievement of the Mayan came about during the Classic period 300 – 900 AD. The Mayan developed a complex hierarchical society divided into classes and professions. Centralized governments, leaded by a king, and ruled territories with clearly defined boundaries. The major cities of the Classic period were Guatemala, Chiapas, Mexico, and Honduras. For most of this period, the majority of the Mayans population lived in the central lowlands of Mexico and Belize.
Between the Classic Period and Post-Classic Period the Mayan Empire split into separate conflicting “City States,” lasting until the Spanish Colonial Period in the early 1600’s. Though not known why, there are many different reasons this split could have happened, such as, over population, a revolt, disease or drought. However, there is evidence that there was over population.
