Settlements were established around 1800 BC in the Soconusco region of the Pacific coast, and they were already cultivating the staple crops of the Maya diet, including maize, beans, squash, and chili pepper. Discoveries of Maya occupation at Cuello, Belize have been carbon dated to around 2600 BC. Scholars continue to discuss when this era of Maya civilization began. The Maya developed their first civilization in the Preclassic period. Structure 5 at Takalik Abaj was built during the Middle Preclassic. The Preclassic lasted from approximately 3000 BC to approximately 250 AD this was followed by the Classic, from 250 AD to roughly 950 AD, then by the Postclassic, from 950 AD to the middle of the 16th century. Definitions of the start and end dates of period spans can vary by as much as a century, depending on the author. Modern scholars regard these periods as arbitrary divisions of chronology of the Maya civilization, rather than indicative of cultural evolution or decadence. ![]() Image Information: Image of prisoners being presented to the halach uinic (ahaw), who is seated on the throne and is also greeted by an arriving dignitary (Reents-Budet, from ceramic vase).The history of Maya civilization is divided into three principal periods: the Preclassic, Classic and Postclassic periods these were preceded by the Archaic Period, which saw the first settled villages and early developments in agriculture. Each town had constables (tupiles) who were supervised by the batab and were charged with keeping the peace. The Batabs also had assistants (al kuleloob) who assisted them with carrying out their government duties. These councilors were the heads of the different subdivisions (nalil) within the towns. Each batab presided over a local council composed of town officials known as the ah cuch cabob. Batabs were not paid tribute, but were supported by the people who lived in their town. Batabs usually held administrative, judicial, and military authority over their towns, ensured that tribute was paid to the halach uinic, and supplied troops in times of war. The halach uinic appointed the batabs, who were the overseers and administrators of dependent cities and villages within the state. The individual states also had a high priest who led a hierarchy of priests, determined the dates for festivals and ceremonies, and foretold auspicious events for the ruler. The nacom served a three year term and was responsible for formulating military strategy and calling troops to battle. Rulers were succeeded by their sons, brothers, or a suitable candidate who was selected by the priests and council if no relatives existed.Įach of the Maya states had a supreme military commander called a nacom. The halach uinic’s power was limited by his council (holpop) and special military and foreign advisors, but he was still considered to be the highest authority in his state and was required to be from an elite lineage. Nine of these states were ruled by a single ruler called a halach uinic (or ahaw), while the others were led by councils of nobles of elite lineage or were allied with larger states. Human sacrifice had begun prior to the Classic Period, and was used as a tool of social and religious control to demonstrate the power of the ruler and the gods.Īt the time of the Spanish conquest, the Yucatan was divided into 18 separate Maya states, with many smaller towns and villages under the jurisdiction of a capital city. ![]() ![]() Individuals who disobeyed their rulers faced severe punishment because the Maya people believed that obedience to their leader was critical to maintaining the harmony of the Maya universe. By the Classic Period, Maya governance had taken on the form of powerful centralized leaders who legitimized their authority through their political connections and their divine lineages. The Maya states were initially governed by simple chiefdoms. Some of these states were independent, while others were part of larger political hierarchies. Instead, the Maya lived in individual political states that were linked together through trade, political alliances, and tribute obligations. The Ancient Maya shared a similar ideology and worldview, but they were never united as a single empire.
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