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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.
When it comes to striking wildlife, Mexico is one of the most blessed countries in the world. Home to some of the rarest species of animals, the tropical forests of Mexico provide shelter to many indigenous land and marine animals.
The Mexican wildlife includes bears, wolves, monkeys, snakes, iguanas, and tapirs; all wandering around the forest day and night. Mexico's tourist attractions also includes beautiful aquatic scenery and fascinating coral reeves for divers. Tourists and travelers can enjoy spending time marveling over the most splendid water animals like whales, sharks, turtles, and swordfishes. Giant manta rays with over fifteen foot wing span and friendly dolphins can also be seen outside the surf line of Santiago Bay, this attracting thousands of vacationers from around the world.
Chichen Izta, (pronounced, Cheechen eetZA) is perhaps the best known Mayan archaeological site on the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico, leading Palenque, in Chiapas, Mexico, Tikal in Guatemala and Copan in Honduras. Thought to be built on the site of a prior Mayan settlement, the city was at its height from around AD 980 to 1220, preceding the Toltecs from central Mexico, who settled here.
Many ruins of important buildings remain from this time. The Castillo and other temples with sculptures and color reliefs, an observatory, and a sacred well (cenote), into which sacrifices, including human beings, were thrown are included among these.
The religion of the Maya is not definitively known, mainly because the conquistadors of Spain destroyed as much of the “heathen” culture as possible before trying to convert the people to Catholicism. Never the less, much has been learned of their religious beliefs as archeologists uncover things like ancient books, pottery with text or paintings on them, mural paintings, carvings, and other various treasures that were left untouched.
Thanks to these artifacts, we now know a little about what these people believed, who they worshiped, and how they performed their religious ceremonies.
History per se is never accurate. The only real account we have of history is what is left by opinion. This is especially true in the realm of Mayan history, where the most elaborate accounts of history are sourced from unskilled archaeologists, opinionated historians, inaccurate translations, biased Spanish Conquistador scripts.
Other than such archaeologists, historians, and scripts, we are left with eroding hieroglyphics that aren’t always decipherable, even by those that speak one or two of over 30 dialects of Mayan. Thus, the following account, as with any historical account of Mayan history, should be read with a bit a constructive and inquisitive skepticism. Don’t take our word for it, seek the truth, or at least something close to it.
You'd think the best description that fits a whale shark is this: A mouthful of teeth and a stomach that is constantly hungry. even though that sounds morbidly appropriate it has nothing to do with the truth. In fact, whale sharks are very different from other shark species in terms of diet.
Whale Sharks are known as filter-feeders. They eat primarily plankton, macro-algae, red crab larvae, krill, small nektonic vertebrates, squids, and small fishes. A whale shark has a very unique oral anatomy which allows it to gulp in water, filter for food, and expulse the water through its gills.
How does one differentiate between “Mayan Temples” and “Mayan Ruins”? Temples and Ruins in modern language have always been mistaken for each other. But in fact, temples are specific structures within a collection of ruins:a part of a whole. Temples where considered the sacred structures where the Kings made important decisions, politicos and philosophers congregated, and structures that were built as homage for the gods.
Notable Mayan Temples include the Temple of Kukulkan in Chichen Itza, Temple I in Tikal, the Temple of Inscriptions in Palenque, and the Coba Temple in Coba. These temples had distinct functions and applications that, contrary to popular belief, had little to do with tombs and religious ceremony. The following is an account of the function of temples to shed light on the difference between Mayan ruins and Temples.
The Mayan Ritual: Death and Its Ceremonies
Written by Octavio Magaña
For the Maya, a highly religious people, death was something to be both feared and revered. Their fear of their gods’ anger and judgment weighed heavily on them, making them fearful of the world beyond, even as they believed in a heaven-like afterlife. They treated their dead with great respect, mourning them extensively and keeping their memory alive through retellings of their accomplishments in life. Though the process of burial changed over the years, the one thing that didn’t was the elaborate way that they would perform it.
The Maya were one of the Mesoamerican societies that left a huge impact on the history and culture of Central America. The Maya were more advanced than their neighbors in many areas, such as agriculture, architecture and astronomy, but what has fascinated explorers and archaeologists the most is their unique hieroglyphic writing system, which they invented more than 2,300 years ago.
The Maya glyphs are very advanced, visually striking and complex. Their calligraphic style and sophisticated phonetic system are different from any other writing system in the world. This is because the ancient Maya invented their writing system independently from the rest of the world.
Enclosed and surrounded by dense jungle forests with pervasive mahogany, cedar and sapodilla trees, frequently shrouded in fog lies the Maya site, Palenque, resting on the eastern front of the Rio Usumacinta Basin in the neighborhood of the roaming foothills of Chiapas’ Oriental- at elevation of about 3000 meters-overlooking the lower plain extending to the Gulf of Mexico.
The Mayan archaeological site of Palenque represents the western regional variant of Classic Maya civilization. Although the earliest occupation of the site dates to about 100 BC, became a major population center only at about 600 AD. Nearly all construction at Palenque stopped by about 800 AD.
Mayan Pyramids rank amongst the most impressive monuments in the modern world. Their mere existence is awe-inspiring proof of the potential of human beings, with or without technology. Before the invention of metal and electrical machinery the ancient Maya were able to accomplish incredible feats with their advancements in the sciences.
It is important to note that the advances applied to the construction of pyramids in the Mayan world were very diverse. Unlike the ancient pyramids of Egypt, for example, the Mayan pyramids, except for the Pyramid of the Prophets, did not have rounded edges.
The ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza is one of the main places of interest for tourists visiting the Yucatan peninsula, in Mexico. The name of the city means "At the mouth of the well of the Itza", and is believed to have reached its apogee during the political and economical dominance of the Itza ethnic group over the northern Yucatan.
Chichen Itza is a large pre-Colombian archeological site built by the advanced (for its time) Mayan civilization. Archaeologists have found signs of previously built settlements in the area, but the most impressive buildings in the city were built around 600 AD.
Cozumel, a small island of Mexico, is best known as a tourist hotspot. Even so, it has a wide array of birds and other animals, both endemic inhabitants and migratory visitors, several of which are endangered. Many birdwatchers love to explore the island and see these interesting birds.
One of the rarest endemic birds is the Cozumel Thrasher, which is nearly, if not completely, extinct. A part of the mockingbird family, it is brown and white with a long, curved bill, and said to make a complex, scratchy warbling. After Hurricane Gilbert in September of 1988, the species began a rapid decline. The latest reports of sightings were in 2006, after two more severe hurricanes hit the island.
Before the Ancient Mayans: The Great Eastern Pyramid
Written by Onejungle -
The Ancient Mayan people are world renowned for the sizeable buildings and pyramids that they designed and built. In a time without the media and television influences, the ancient Mayans could build whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted to do so.
The ancient Mayan people were the ancient inhabitants within certain sections of the South Americas. The largest ancient Mayan population groups were in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Western Honduras, and El Salvador. They were famed for their ferocity and willingness to sacrifice children and enemies for their Gods. The Mayans are famed for their calendar which has specified the world events, and has specified that the world will end in December, 2012.
The Acropolis of the Nakum Mayan site in Guatemala.
Guatemala is a small country on the Pacific Ocean, bordering Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Belize. Spanish is the official language in Guatemala. The country has access to the Caribbean, which makes it a perfect destination for travelers interested in nature, wildlife and adventure.
There are many outdoor adventures you can participate in – canopy tours, fishing, swimming with dolphins, birding, scuba diving and more. The best thing you can do is to join an organized tour, as this way you will get the best experience possible for your money. There are organized outdoor adventure tours in Guatemala for many activities, and you can get full information about it from your travel agent or from your hotel once you have arrived.
Where to next?
Multi-Day Tours
Calakmul Tour
Would you like to experience a genuine jungle experience in Mexico? Travel to Calakmul and enjoy the Mexican nature a
$389.00
Palenque Tour
The perfect way to visit Palenque for those with limited time and budget! Save time by traveling at night on a comfortab
$279.00
Sian Ka´an Tour
Combine the best of Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve in this 3-day multi-active tour. Travel to the remote corners of the
$679.00
