History & Origins
The Rise and Fall of Maya City-States: A 3,000-Year History
From the first farming villages of the Preclassic period to the collapse of great cities, trace the sweeping arc of...
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Browse all articles on Maya civilization — from ancient history and calendar systems to architecture, mythology, archaeology, and the legacy of the Maya people.
Maya Calendar
The Maya Calendar Systems Explained: Tzolk'in, Haab', and the Long Count
The ancient Maya developed not one but three interlocking calendar systems of remarkable precision. Here's how each one...
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Architecture & Cities
Tikal: A Guide to the Architecture of the Maya's Greatest City
Rising above the jungle canopy of Guatemala, Tikal's temples and plazas reveal the full ambition of Classic Maya urban...
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Mythology & Religion
The Popol Vuh: Understanding the Maya Creation Myth
The Popol Vuh is the greatest surviving work of Maya literature — a sweeping creation epic filled with gods, hero...
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Archaeology
How LiDAR Is Transforming Maya Archaeology
Laser-mapping technology has revealed hidden Maya cities beneath dense jungle canopy, rewriting our understanding of...
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Legacy & Modern Maya
The Modern Maya: A Living Culture, Not a Lost One
The Maya did not vanish with their ancient cities. Today, millions of Maya people across Mexico and Central America...
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