Mayan Facts

#10- The Mayan Enemies

Climate changes and many droughts brought the Mayans to fight amongst themselves. Deforestation was done to clear way for more crops, but actually brought on the doom even faster. The humidity change brought drought faster, and soon crops died all over the place. The Mayans would fight over food. Also, because no one could survive any longer, people had to move away. This brought the downfall of the Mayans and the steep decline in the population. The Spanish only came near the end to finish the process.

#11- Mayan Political Structure

At the time of Spanish attacks, there were 18 different Mayan states. 9 were under rule of an ahaw, a very powerful ruler, and the other nine were under rule of elites or allied with stronger states. Rulers were succeeded by their sons, brothers, or a suitable candidate who was selected by the priests and council if no relatives existed.  

#12- Mayan Gods and Religious Beliefs

While the Mayans worshipped many gods of nature, the most important one to them was Itzamna, the creator god, the god of fire and the hearth. Among the others were the gods of the moon, sun, corn, and water. Each had a special gift that the Mayans believed would be granted for sacrifice. Many statues and carvings of the gods were placed in temples and pyramids for religious reasons. Among the most popular is the Feathered Serpent Kukulcan.

#13- Mayan weapons

Mayan weapons don’t differ from what we consider weapons today. They had the bow and arrow, invented 2500 years ago. They also had wooden spears, with sharp obsidian tips. They were usually decorated with colorful feathers. These were used for throwing or stabbing. Mayans also had various knives, used for close up stabbing. Clubs were probably the most popular weapon. These were used for crushing the enemy, not stabbing.

#14- The different Mayan Pecking Order

Mayans, much like chickens, had their own pecking order. Nobility and priests were shown the highest respect of all, because of their role to the Mayans. Crafters, tradesmen and warriors were given a regular amount of respect, because of their talent and serving the Mayans. At the very bottom of the chain there was the peasants and slaves, who were frowned upon and yelled at and ordered around. (Slaves were commonly warriors captured from other tribes.)

#15- Mayan Living Conditions

Mayans lived in small houses, usually one or two rooms, made of wood (or occasionally stone), with thatched roofs. The houses were built out in the open to maximize exposure to the sun, so the thatched roof would not rot. Walls were often made of a wooden frame covered with adobe and then layered over with lime to whiten it. The Mayans used materials from the nearby rainforests to make their houses.