The Maya were once considered one of the greatest civilizations in North America, and possibly the world. They built many pyramids and temples to honour their gods and to preserve their religion. Their lives revolved around their king and sacrifice of his blood. The cultural achievements of the Maya along with the educational achievements came centuries before other cultures. These achievements still exist today along with the Mayan culture, which has spanned over two thousand years. The Mayan people of today still hold these traditions sacred and want to preserve them. Only about two million Mayan Indians exist today, but their culture reflects that of their ancestors, along with the Spanish, who invaded the Maya around the sixteenth century. The Maya left behind much advancement that they had made in mathematics, astronomy, and technology. The advancement of the Mayan civilization throughout their many years of existence was the highest of any civilization ever recorded.

The Mayan civilization had a rich and interesting history. The history of the Mayans can be classified into five historical periods. The first being the development of the early people,

The Maya were very conscious of the natural world surrounding them, as they believed in the power of natural elements, causing religion to be a main engine that drove Maya culture. It determined the form of city centres, the rules that where laid down, as well as the organization and control of labour for public building construction as well as smaller-scale homes. In the countryside religion even controlled agricultural schedules, and rituals that where performed both in the villages and in fields. The Mayans had a great variety of Gods who needed appeasing. The Gods ranged from Kinich Ahau, the Sun God, one of the principal deities, to other heavenly figures such as Ix Chel (Venus), and onto natural forces, which include Chac, the Rain God, and to creatures of nature such as Balam the jaguar and Zotz the bat. Each God has there own special power, all of the gods are recognized throughout the Maya world, and some were worshiped everywhere, though not in the same fashion throughout all Mayan communities. Maya religion fell and rose, speaking in different ways to people at different times and places, but always speaking of gods in the same elaborate framework.

Mayan architecture according to archaeologists is a common set of construction and design elements, decorative addition and preconceived elements added for either a practical or ceremonial value. The Mayan had many architectural styles that placed the Maya geographically and temporally. Maya buildings did not reflect the jungle environment, due to their design and building materials. While with only few exceptions Mayan buildings were tall, angular structures that seemed to have been built with no consideration of the elements. The average Mayan house was composed of poles and thatch, and set atop very low platforms. These buildings became standardized as they where an excellent response to the environment, as the materials where readily available locally and where from renewable resources. They where also cool and weatherproof, they also lasted many years with very little maintenance. Problems only arose in Mayan architecture when builders went from poles and thatch to stone and mortar. It is believed this change was made to make important buildings more permanent. Stone temples where constructed that held the graves of rulers, and provide a setting for ceremonies. Maya temples and their platforms where somewhat pyramidal yet held no Egyptian influence, soft limestone which was available locally and was easy to quarry was used to construct these temples. Unfortunately, it was more difficult to work then former building materials therefore causing a heavier labour tax on the populace. The stone buildings retained a similar style to the original thatch and pole structures. Their rooms had ceilings that resembled thatched roofs, and two door where placed on the long walls of the building. The building also stood on top of a platform, though much higher than those of the thatch buildings did. Two main problems arose from the use of limestone, limestone is a non-renewable resource, and as it was used for the facing, mortar and plaster large amounts where used and supplies soon became limited. The second problem was that they where waterproof as far as the room interiors where concerned but staining, cracking, and ill protection from tropical weather caused these buildings to require a large amount of human time and effort, so the buildings could continue servings as a place for religious ceremonies. The architecture of the Mayans had little place any where in the world but especially in the jungle.

The Mayan buildings and pottery where elaborately and brightly painted, sometimes entirely in red but also in a great many colours. Sculptures where also elaborate in size and carving, stelae is the best know example of Maya sculpture. Other large sculptures where composed of stone

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Approximate Word count = 2619
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)