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• The Maya flourished in an area designated "Mesoamerica," today consisting of Southern Mexico and parts of Central America, from roughly 1800 BC until the Spanish conquest of the Yucatan in the 16th and 17th Century. The Maya are particularly notable for their spectacular architecture and advanced understanding of mathematics and astronomy.

• Fast Facts:

  1. Duration: 1800 BC - 17th Century AD
  2. Region: Mexico, Central America
  3. Mayan descendants are said to reside in Mexico
  4. Maya codices were written on bark paper
  5. Largest City: Tikal

• Language

  "Mayan" is a language family consisting of over 30 individual languages. About 6 million Mayan descendants continue to speak variations on Mayan languages to this day, most of them in Mexico and Guatemala.

• Mayan Architecture

  The Maya constructed an array of complex stone structures, including temples, observatories and even athletic courts. The lack of animals suitable for this form of labor means that the vast majority of the actual work of carrying materials was done by humans. The most iconic image of Mayan architecture is likely the famous stepped pyramids, like those seen in the temples of Tikal.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Aztec Civilization | Inca Civilization | [[Hernán Cortés]] | Christopher Columbus | Fall of Tenochtitlan | December 21 2012 | Mayan Calendar

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