Learn

There are many cultures that existed in the past that we forget about. But it’s important to remember them because each culture had its mark in the world, and is important in the constant progression of all societies.

One such important and fascinating culture is that of the Mayas. They still thrive as a culture today, but their existence in the past remains an interesting mystery for many people.

The mystery stems from the fact that around 900 AD, they disappeared from the urban centers that they built, and no one knows why. Some archaeologists have devoted their lives to uncovering the sophisticated and complex living structures that the Mayan culture left behind. Let’s take a look at this amazing group of people.

It appears that the Maya culture existed as far back as 5000 BC, however the most interesting and studied time period for these people is when they were at their peak in what was called the Classic period from 300 to 900 AD. The Mayans inhabited a region that encompasses what is today’s Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador and parts of southern Mexico. Grab a map or globe and find where these areas are.

Part of the Mayan culture was a tribute to physical beauty. They believed that a long backward sloping forehead was exceptionally beautiful. In order to look like this, parents would bind their infants’ skulls with boards. They also thought that crossed-eyes were a sign of beauty, so parents would dangle objects in front their infants’ eyes to permanently cross them. They still practice this today!

Perhaps the most amazing aspect of these people, however, is the fact that they developed a highly sophisticated calendar system based on astronomy and mathematics and they also developed the most complex system of writing at that time. These people were clearly ahead of their time, so why did they abandon their cities that they built? No one knows for sure, but it is thought that perhaps there was some sort of enemy invasion, or maybe disease. We do know that the Mayas still exist but their urban centers do not. Perhaps some day you’ll be the archaeologist to uncover why.