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Ancient Maya Civilization

Archaeologists estimate that at their peak, one to two million Mayas lived within the borders of present day Belize.

Mighty Maya cities such as Caracol, Xunantunich and Lamanai dotted the landscape, with small agricultural communities farming the land between.The Maya civilization is divided into:

Pre-Classic (2000 BC to 1500 BC)
Classic (AD 250 to 900 AD) — when the civilization peaked
Post-Classic (AD 950 to 1540 AD) — when the civilization slowly disappeared

The intellectual achievements of the Maya civilization are well known. They devised the concept of zero long before it was recorded anywhere else and were on their way to developing a syllabic system of writing. Their architecture was monumental and the extensive proliferation of knowledge indicates a well developed system of communications.

Probably the Maya’s most important contribution to the modern world was that of field production. They domesticated many products that are part of our diet today, corn, cassava, different varieties of beans, yams, chili, chocolate and other crops.

Features of Pre-Classic (2000 BC to 1500 BC)
• Marks the beginning of recognizable patterns of agriculture, notably the annual cutting and burning of forest by people living in settled villages in order to plant maize.

Population growth is evident and new forms of machinery are developed for the preparation of meals.
Advances in architecture and an explosion of Maya culture and population.
Features of Classic Period (250 AD-600 AD)
The greatest development in the Maya civilization such as the introduction of the long count calendar

Features of Post Classic Period ( 950- 1540)

Political and social changes began to be seen
Alliances and trade links broke down
Wars increased and stelae were carved less frequently

Ancient Maya Civilization Timeline:

200 - 800 A.D. - Maya cities flourished throughout Belize.
900 - 1000 A.D. -Maya cultural decline in Southern and Central Belize.
1520s -Cortez crosses Southern Belize.
1530s -Montejo attempts to conquer Belize for Spain.Nachankan and Belize Maya defeat Spanish.
1540s -Civilization startes to fall apart

There are several theories as to why these huge Maya civilizations slowly disappeared. Perhaps it was war, loss of faith, famine, or a series of natural disasters. The decline over the period of approximately one century occurred at varying rates through Belize with areas such as Lamanai in northern Belize remaining occupied throughout the Post-classic Period.

With Maya temples strewn about Belize, well-preserved artifacts and present day cultural and agricultural practices, there is no doubt that this vast and highly developed civilization left Belize an undeniable precious legacy. A gift we share with our visitors.