Mayan

Mayan refers to the Maya, an indigenous civilization of Mesoamerica and to related languages. The Maya inhabited areas that are now southern Mexico (including the Yucatán Peninsula), Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. The Maya civilization developed over many centuries, with a Classic period roughly from 250 to 900 CE that produced major city-states, monumental architecture, and sophisticated arts. Note that scholars typically use Maya to refer to the people and civilization; Mayan is commonly used as an adjective (for example, Mayan calendar) and less often as a noun.

The Maya were notable for advances in writing, astronomy, and mathematics. They developed a logosyllabic script used in inscriptions and codices, which was deciphered largely during the 20th century. They created detailed calendar systems, including the Long Count, and made precise astronomical observations that guided agriculture and ritual life. Politically, the Maya organized as overlapping city-states that formed shifting alliances and rivalries rather than a single, unified empire.

Linguistically, Mayan languages constitute a family of about 30 related tongues. Today, millions of people in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador continue to speak Mayan languages and maintain cultural traditions, often blending them with colonial and modern influences.

Post-contact history began with Spanish arrival in the 16th century, bringing profound demographic and cultural changes. Maya communities persist in the modern era, preserving traditional practices while engaging with national societies. The region’s archaeological sites, including Palenque, Tikal, and Chichén Itzá, are recognized for their historical significance and attract international study and tourism.