Maya civilization
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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The Maya is a Mesoamerican civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as its art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems. Initially established during the Pre-Classic period (c. 2000 BC to 250 AD), according to the Mesoamerican chronology, many Maya cities reached their highest state development during the Classic period (c. 250 AD to 900 AD), and continued throughout the Post-Classic period until the arrival of the Spanish. At its peak, it was one of the most densely populated and culturally dynamic societies in the world.
Maya sites
There are hundreds of significant Maya sites, and thousands of smaller ones. The largest and most historically important include:
- Cancuén
- Chichen Itza
- Coba
- Comalcalco
- Copán
- Dos Pilas
- Kalakmul
- El Mirador
- Nakbé
- Naranjo
- Palenque
- Piedras Negras
- Quiriguá
- Seibal
- Tikal
- Uaxactún
- Uxmal
- Yaxha