The Mayan civilization was very advanced for its time, and had great knowledge of astronomy, geometry and last but not least – ways to measure the time. Many experts in the fields of astronomy, mathematics and other sciences find the way the Maya used to calculate time periods unique.

The essentials of their calendar system were similar to other calendar systems found in the same region of the world by other Mesoamerican civilizations, dating as far back in time as the fifth century BC.

The Mayans had a complex system of trade and economy throughout their entire history. In fact, contrary to early assertions, the Mayans actually had strong commercial ties with other Mesoamerican cultures from all over Central and South America.

This trade network initially began as a linear route which ran from the Guatemala all the way to Mexico during the Preclassic period (around 2000 BC to 300 AD). Over time, this trading network would change and shift according to political and economic necessities. Among the major trading hubs of the Mayan trade route include major city states like Kaminaljuyu and Tak’alik Ab’aj.

A favorite among adventure travel and jungle tours, The "Mundo Maya", or Mayan World, is an area of roughly 300,000 square kilometers (116,000 square miles) in Central America, covering the whole of Belize and Guatemala and parts of Honduras, El Salvador and the Mexican states of Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo. The ancient Mayans left evidence of their existence in the form of limestone constructions throughout this vast tropical regionThe classic Mayan period

According to historians, ancient Mayan history dates back to over 2,000 years ago, however, new discoveries are revealing ancient ruins, that date back even further. The oldest Mayan ruin found to date was discovered recently in San Bartolo, Guatemala. It dates back to the year 300 B.C., and it is thought that there are still many temples, stellae and tombs hidden under the thick jungles of Mesoamerica from this time period.