Maya Religion & Culture

Collection

Joshua J. Mark
by
published on 25 April 2024

Maya religion and culture is among the most advanced and sophisticated of the Pre-Colombian Americas as evidenced by the ruins of their great cities and what remains of their writings after most were burned by the Spanish in 1562. The Maya continue to live in the same regions today as in the ancient past.

This collection presents a brief survey of some of the most significant aspects of the ancient Maya Civilization.

Articles & Definitions

Maya Civilization
Definition

Maya Civilization

The Maya are an indigenous people of Mexico and Central America who...
Maya Religion
Definition

Maya Religion

Maya religious beliefs are formed on the notion that virtually everything...
Popol Vuh
Definition

Popol Vuh

The Popol Vuh is the story of creation according to the Quiche Maya...
Xibalba
Definition

Xibalba

Xibalba (Shee-bal-ba) was the name the K'iche Maya gave to the underworld...
The Mayan Pantheon: The Many Gods of the Maya
Article

The Mayan Pantheon: The Many Gods of the Maya

The pantheon of the Maya is a vast collection of deities worshipped...
Maya Writing
Article

Maya Writing

The Maya hieroglyphic writing system was a sophisticated combination...
Maya Government
Definition

Maya Government

Ancient Maya government was formed on the basis that rulers were thought...
Maya Food & Agriculture
Article

Maya Food & Agriculture

For the Maya, reliable food production was so important to their well-being...
Maya Architecture
Definition

Maya Architecture

Maya architecture is best characterized by the soaring pyramid temples...
The Classic Maya Collapse
Article

The Classic Maya Collapse

The Mesoamerican Terminal Classic period (c. 800-925) saw one of the...
The Red Handprints of Cozumel & Tulum
Article

The Red Handprints of Cozumel & Tulum

The Maya sites of San Gervasio (on the island of Cozumel) and Tulum...
Visiting the Spirits of Chichen Itza
Article

Visiting the Spirits of Chichen Itza

Joshua J. Mark goes looking for adventure while visiting the Maya site...

Videos

Images

Add External Link

External Links

MesoAmerican Research Center Website
marc.ucsb.edu
Mayan Government
webpages.uidaho.edu
Mayan Deforestation and Drought
nasa.gov
An Introduction to the Ancient Maya
bbc.co.uk

Questions & Answers

Did the Maya really vanish?

No. The Maya today still live in the same regions as their ancestors.

Where did the Maya live?

The Maya Civilization flourished in modern-day Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Campeche, Tabasco, and Chiapas in Mexico and southward through Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras.

How long did the Maya civilization last?

The Maya Civilization lasted from 250-1524.

Did the Spanish Conquest lead to the abandonment of the Maya cities?

No. The Maya had abandoned their cities before the arrival of the Spanish. The reasons are unknown but the people probably left the cities due to overpopulation and climate change leading to a loss of resources, especially clean water.

About the Author

Joshua J. Mark
Joshua J. Mark is World History Encyclopedia's co-founder and Content Director. He was previously a professor at Marist College (NY) where he taught history, philosophy, literature, and writing. He has traveled extensively and lived in Greece and Germany.

Free for the World, Supported by You

World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide.

Become a Member  

Membership