The Maya were a Mesoamerican civilization, noted for its hieroglyphic script—the most sophisticated writing system in pre-Columbian Americas—as well as for its art, architecture, mathematics, calendar, and astronomical system. The Maya civilization developed in modern-day southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and western Honduras during the Preclassic period (c. 2000 BC to 250 AD). During the Classic period (250 to 900 AD), the Maya civilization reached its peak, with a large number of city-states emerging in the region. The Maya were skilled farmers, architects, and artists, and they built a number of impressive temples, pyramids, and other structures. The Maya civilization began to decline in the Postclassic period (900 to 1539 AD), and the last major Maya city, Chichen Itza, was abandoned in the 16th century.
The Maya were a highly diverse people, and their culture varied greatly from region to region. However, there were some common elements that united the Maya civilization. One of these was their belief in a complex pantheon of gods and goddesses. The Maya also shared a common set of religious beliefs and practices, which included rituals such as human sacrifice.
The Maya civilization had a profound impact on the development of Mesoamerican civilization. The Maya were the first Mesoamericans to develop a writing system, and their hieroglyphic script was used by other Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Aztecs. The Maya also made significant advances in mathematics and astronomy, and their calendar system was adopted by other Mesoamerican civilizations.
The Maya civilization was one of the most advanced civilizations in pre-Columbian Americas. The Maya made significant contributions to art, architecture, mathematics, astronomy, and writing. The Maya civilization had a profound impact on the development of Mesoamerican civilization, and its legacy continues to this day.