The ancient Maya were united by belief systems and cultural practices that included a distinct architectural style and a writing system.
1000 B.C.E. - 1521 C.E.
The ancient Maya were united by belief systems and cultural practices that included a distinct architectural style and a writing system.
1000 B.C.E. - 1521 C.E.
Learn about the Mayan writing system, historical periods, and city-states.
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Calendars also tell us a great deal about how Mesoamerican cultures understood and structured their world.
Carved lintels were commissioned by elites and attest to ritual activities, like bloodletting.
Vessels like this are an important source of information about Maya society since few of their books survive.
Look up! This elaborate carving could be seen as one walked into the temple, but only VIPs had access.
This fabulously-dressed mirror-bearer imitates the humans who performed this function in the royal courts.
During ceremonies, the user of this cup might be invited to share the story depicted here in Maya glyphs.
One of many Maya city-states, Palenque rose to prominence in the seventh century thanks to an ambitious local lord.
As independent city-states, the ancient Maya lacked a centralized power but shared a common belief system.
Over a hundred lintel relief sculptures depicting scenes from royal life survive from Yaxchilán.
Over a thousand years before Instagram, Maya painted vases communicated about the lives of the rich and famous.
Large stone sculptures was the principal medium for presenting Maya political and religious messages to the public.
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