There were many cultures in the Americas prior to the so-called discovery of the western hemisphere by Christopher Columbus and the subsequent invasion of the conquistadores. These included the Olmecs,Toltecs, Aztecs, Mexica, Mixtecs, Zapotecs and the Maya among others.
Mayan roots were probably in the Olmeca culture, which reached its peak nearly 2 millennia before the Mayan classic era. Izapan is believed to be a more immediate precursor to Mayan civilization. The early preclassic Maya were in the lowland rainforest of Chiapas at around 300 C.E. The cities of Tikal, Palenque, and Caracol (among others) flourished during the late classic era (600 - 900 C.E.). Teotihuacan fell and the Maya presence stretched from central Mexico to Copan, Honduras. Cities were founded on the Yucatan peninsula.
During the postclassic era (900 to 1200 C.E.), the cities in the rainforest were abandoned. Sea trade was established from Tabasco to Panama. The power of the city-states shifted to the Yucatan and to the southern highlands
The late postclassic era (1200 - the European invasion) saw an influx of Nahua speaking Mexicas into the noble lineages. Writing and painting came to the forefront while inscription in stone declined.
The Spanish arrived in the 16th century and did their best to eradicate native culture. Mayan resistance began with the first Friar and continues to the present. The Zapatistas of Chiapas and Tzutuhiles of Guatemala are descendents of classic era Maya.
The Maya world consisted of a federation of theocratic city-states that shared language, religion and customs. The Maya appear to have been more artistic and less bloodthirsty than other contemporary civilizations. They developed exceptional talents in astronomy and mathematics. They invented zero and counted using the base 20 system. They developed an extremely accurate, though complex calendar. They also developed a sophisticated written language.
The information that I have for you is organized under the general headings of Art (ceramics and terra cotta), stelae, and literature. Until I find or create a suitable icon for it, references to mesoamerican mythology and deities can be found on the stelae page. Click an icon below and see where you end up.
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University of Guadalajara
The Rabbit in the Moon
Looking for an Affordable UNIX Workstation?
Mesoamerican links.
MesoWeb
Museums++
Index of Clive Ruggles photos of mesoamerica
An introduction to the American Indian
Our Indian Heritage
Mexico, Splendors of 30 Centuries
The Yucatan
Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History
Mexico National Museum of Anthropology
Precolumbian Graphic Arts Website
Welcome to Mexico from Snaith Primary School
Mayan Class Structure
Ancient Mesoamerica links
Yaxuna Archeology Page
Send a postcard from Chichen Itza
Doing some research?
Mesoamerica Web Ring Page there are photos from many places here
Mesoamerican Photo Archives
Mayan Sites
Resources for Anthropology & Archeology Vanderbilt University
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesamerican Studies Inc.
E mail Lee
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Updated 8/27/2000