The Mayan Civilization

The Mayan zodiac circle. (Picture from:
 http://www.howitworksdaily.com/)

The Maya name really skyrocketed since 2012 doomsday prophecy becomes a world's hot topic. Predictions based on Mayan calendar is not only a mathematical sense, but also supported by the opinions of a number of scientific researchers. Curiosity about the origin of the prediction brought many people to learn the real Mayans.

Beyond the forecast was horrendous, the Maya were a group of tribes living in the Yucatan Peninsula, Central America bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The tribe is recognized for their accomplishments in the fields of architecture, art, mathematics, and science.

They were able to build stone monuments and pyramids with a very complex design, construction, using formulas exact calculation. And this time, they are not familiar with all the modern construction equipment to facilitate the construction of such places of worship.

The Mayan region in Yucatan Peninsula. (Picture from: http://www.yucatan-revealed.com/)

Some scientist say, the Ancient Mayan civilization began in the fourth ice age, about 60,000 years ago. At that time, a lot of sea water trapped in the ice, so that the sea level is still low. A bridge connecting Asia and America were built in the Bering Strait. One source states that humans first reached Central America 15,000 years ago.

In 8000 BC, the climate warmed and the ice melted. It allows humans to consume meat and vegetables. History records from 8000-2000 BC, Central American population subsisted by farming. Towards the end of this period, some ancient Mayan villages sprung up, along with the discovery of pottery and ceramics.

The Mayan archaeological sites
in Central America. (Picture from:
 http://stream.aljazeera.com/)

The Mayan population thrived on pre-classic period, ie 1500-5400 BC, as the growth of cities and the development of the Maya language. However, on classic period (250-900 AD) The Maya had their heyday. They produce various forms of building work (Chichen Itza), agriculture (drainage canals), wells or cenotes, as well as in agriculture corn and latex.

At that time, improvement of the Mayan calendar system, written language. Their writing using pictures and symbols called glyphs. They also tear down old buildings and temples, to build new temples and buildings on it. Various important events they record the carvings, as can be found in Quiriga, near Rio Dulce. Many people consider that the Mayan civilization has much in common with the other Mesoamerican civilizations, which is caused by the high interaction and cultural diffusion.

The Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, Mexico. (Picture from: http://www.rivieramaya.info/)

Around 650 AD, Teotihuacan civilization which has a strong influence on the lives of the Maya collapse, so the Mayans tried to cope by developing the arts, astronomy, and religion. The effort was apparently successful, because the Maya were able to measure the orbits of celestial bodies with extraordinary accuracy. They also managed to create great works of art in the form of pottery and jade.

The main plaza of Mayan ruins in Tikal, Guatemala. (Picture from: http://www.neatorama.com/)

However, the glory did not last long, because in 750 AD, a problem that is triggered by a tropical climate or food shortages have destroyed civilizations. In 830 AD, the construction of city was stopped, and the population gradually left the city to live on higher ground, where food is easier to find. This condition lasted until today.

The Mayan ruins at Calakmul, Mexico. (Picture from: http://www.neatorama.com/)

However, the Mayans never disappeared. Today, the Maya and their descendants form a population that still maintain the traditions and beliefs, as a result of acculturation and adaptation ideology since the days of Pre-Columbian and post occupation. Today, seven million Mayans live in various regions of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and five states in Mexico. They still spoken in the Mayan language. Influence of Maya can be found up to Central Mexico, or more than 1,000 km from the center of Mayan civilization. *** [LIA MARLIA | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 19112012 | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES]

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