Mayan Civilization: Achievements and Innovations

Maya Civilization

Flourished from 300 to 900 CE in Mesoamerica.

Advanced Farming Techniques

Innovative methods for agriculture in diverse environments.

Large Temples and Pyramids

Monumental structures for religious and ceremonial purposes.

Hieroglyphic Writing System

Complex script using symbols to represent sounds and ideas.

Astronomy Advancements

Developed knowledge of celestial bodies and their cycles.

Mathematics System

Utilized a base-20 system including the concept of zero.

Architecture

Distinctive building styles including ceremonial and urban structures.

Chichén Itzá Observatory

Astronomical structure for celestial observations.

Cenotes

Natural sinkholes used as primary water sources.

Chac

Maya rain god associated with cenotes and caves.

Xibalba

Maya Underworld, linked to caves and cenotes.

Lidar Data

Technology revealing hidden Mayan structures in jungles.

Mayan Superhighways

Elevated causeways built for transportation over swamps.

Vague Year Calendar

Solar calendar of 365 days, 18 months of 20 days.

Sacred Round Calendar

260-day ceremonial calendar with two interlocking cycles.

Slash-and-Burn Techniques

Agricultural method involving clearing land for farming.

Irrigation Networks

Systems developed to support urban agriculture.

Glyphs

Symbols representing ideas and objects in Mayan writing.

Codex

Ancient Mayan book format for recording information.

Number System

Base-20 system using bars, dots, and shells.