The Mayan Indians lived -- and still live -- In Central America and southeast Mexico. The ruins of their step (square-shaped and built in terraces) pyramids are a major tourist draw.
The Mayans achieved a very high cultural level, perfecting techniques of architecture, heiroglyphics, astronomy, agriculture, and metallurgy.
Many of the foodstuffs of today (corn, squash, chocolate, tropical fruits, turkeys) were perfected by the Mayans, as was the production of cotton.
Mayan weaving is considered among the finest textiles in history.
Jewellery and weapons made of jade, gold, and silver are outstanding examples of the craft. Unfortunately, most of the jewellery at the time of the Conquest (Coulmbus landed off of the coast of Honduras during his first voyage to the New World) was melted down to finance the economy of Spain.
The Mayans had a complex calendar system based on 13 months in continuous cycles. Outside of the Arabs, they were the only culture to develop the concept of zero. Mayan astronomers made calculations and charted celestial bodies that went undiscovered until the development of high-powered telescopes. How the Mayans did this is unknown.
There are millions of Mayans in the region today. Like so many indigenous people, they are considered outcasts of society, and have suffered greatly during the region's many civil wars.
The Mayans achieved a very high cultural level, perfecting techniques of architecture, heiroglyphics, astronomy, agriculture, and metallurgy.
Many of the foodstuffs of today (corn, squash, chocolate, tropical fruits, turkeys) were perfected by the Mayans, as was the production of cotton.
Mayan weaving is considered among the finest textiles in history.
Jewellery and weapons made of jade, gold, and silver are outstanding examples of the craft. Unfortunately, most of the jewellery at the time of the Conquest (Coulmbus landed off of the coast of Honduras during his first voyage to the New World) was melted down to finance the economy of Spain.
The Mayans had a complex calendar system based on 13 months in continuous cycles. Outside of the Arabs, they were the only culture to develop the concept of zero. Mayan astronomers made calculations and charted celestial bodies that went undiscovered until the development of high-powered telescopes. How the Mayans did this is unknown.
There are millions of Mayans in the region today. Like so many indigenous people, they are considered outcasts of society, and have suffered greatly during the region's many civil wars.
