The awesome splendor of ornate cites, the construction of grand temples, and the ingenuious development and advancement of caledretics, mathematics, and astronomy mark one of the most interesting and prosperous times in Latin American history. During a span of approximately six centuries, the Maya of Central America reached artistic and intellectual heights that no one in the New World had ever seen or imagined possible.
Because this period in Mayan culture is believed to be a time of relative peace and tranquility, the ultimate decline of their society is still a great mystery whose cause remains speculative in the minds of many archeologists and anthropologists. In an attempt to understand the prevailing theories surrounding the decline of this once magnificent society, a critical comprehension of basic Mayan culture is essential.
To categorize Mayan cultural development, most scientists divide Mayan civilization into three distinct periods: Pre-classic, Classic, and Post-classic. The Pre-Classic period is essentially the birth of the Mayan civilization. It is shrouded in mystery though, as researchers have a myriad of opinions concerning from where the Mayan People originally migrated. The earliest theories proposed that the Maya were either one of the Lost tribes of Israel or descendants of the lost city of Atlantis . Unfortunately, the most historians can agree on is that the Maya migrated across the Bering Straight from some part of Europe or Asia.
In establishing their means of existence, the Maya utilized a system of agriculture and were primarily farmers rather than hunters. Their principal crops consisted of maize (which they considered to be the staff of life), beans, squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, cotton, and tobacco; the later of which they grew for export to Europe.
Once the Maya became established in the processes of day-to-day living, the Classic period, which encompassed the period of A.D. 300–900, began. This time span is marked by a period of rapid growth in which the Mayans erected their highest and handsomest temples, built their largest and most ornate cities and achieved success in their intellectual endeavors. Research of this period provides the principle source of insight into the Mayan people: the hierarchy of their society, their success in intellectual pursuits, and the foundation of their religion.
Although some anthropologists disagree on the number of classes Mayan society was divided into, most agree that nobility and priests comprised what was considered to be the Mayan aristocracy. The aristocracy monopolized all positions of authority and is believed to have been the center of the Mayan government.
Custom Mayan Culture Research Papers from Paper Masters
A research paper is an in-depth examination of Mayan Culture. More than just an overview of what was learned on Mayan Culture, like a term paper is, a research paper contains analysis of Mayan Culture along the lines of organizational theory and relevant published material. Research papers are highly analytical and can often be more than 8 to 10 pages. The key to a good research project is the examination of recently published journal articles and peer-reviewed material on the Mayan Culture chosen. Like the name implies, research papers are exactly that, a paper that examines the information that can be found on Mayan Culture.