The Ancient Maya

From the Pre-Classic to the Post-Classic Period in Mesoamerica

The ancient Maya pyramid of Temple of the Inscriptions at Palenque, surrounded by green trees and tourists at the base.

Discover the ancient Maya’s long history in Mesoamerica and their remarkable achievements in art, astronomy, and architecture

The ancient Maya are known for their incredible architecture, writing system, and calendar systems

The Basics

Classic Period

Maya West
Rulers of the Maya West
The Peten
The Southeast
Rulers of the Peten
Puuc

Epi-Classic and Postclassic Period

Northern Yucatan

The Classic Maya

c. 250–600 CE

This is the period of city-states like Palenque, Tikal, Yaxchilán, and Bonampak

The Basics

Introductions to the ancient Maya world

Ancient stone carving depicting a figure with elaborate headdress and jewelry, holding a staff, standing over a smaller figure, in an exhibition with a red wall background.

What is bloodletting? Looking at the Yaxchilán lintels and Bonampak

An ancient stone and carved wooden artifact with intricate carvings, partially obscured by a black and orange illuminated display, inside a museum.

Understanding relief sculpture using Pakal's sarcophagus lid

A vessel showing a bat spitting blood sits in a museum

Bat symbolism and Camazotz in the Classic Maya period

Illustration featuring ancient art elements like a Greek vase, a sculpture bust, a column, and a tribal mask with the text 'COMING SOON' in the center.
Who is Chahk?
Illustration featuring ancient art elements like a Greek vase, a sculpture bust, a column, and a tribal mask with the text 'COMING SOON' in the center.
Who is the Maize God?
Illustration featuring ancient art elements like a Greek vase, a sculpture bust, a column, and a tribal mask with the text 'COMING SOON' in the center.
What is a corbel vault?

The Maya West

Palenque, Yaxchilán, and Bonampak

Ancient stone pyramid surrounded by lush green trees, located in a tropical forest setting under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Discovery of Pakal's tomb
Jade green mask of Pakal
Pakal of Palenque and his death mask
Ancient Mayan stone relief with intricate carvings of mythological figures and patterns.
Queen Ix Mutal Ahaw Stela
Ancient Mayan mural depicting a group of people, possibly warriors or leaders, adorned in traditional attire. The artwork shows vibrant colors, including reds, blues, and browns, on a textured wall surface.
Maya Blue and Bonampak
Ancient stone ruins with a grid-like pattern surrounded by dense trees under a blue sky.
Maya roof comb at Yaxchilán
lady xoc lintel
Lintels from Yaxchilán

Important Names and Places

K’inich Janaab’ Pakal

Palenque

Yaxchilán

Bonampak

The Maize God

K’awiil

Lady K’abal Xook (Xoc)

Important terms and concepts

Ancient Maya

City-state

Jade

Stela

Vision Serpent

Roof comb

Maya Blue

Mural

Lintel

Kings and Queens of the Maya West

Palenque, Yaxchilán, and Bonampak

Illustrated "Coming Soon" graphic featuring a vase, architectural column, and various cultural masks and faces with green and yellow color scheme.
Lady Sak K'uk' of Palenque
Ancient Mayan stone relief carving featuring a complex, detailed depiction of a mythological scene with figures and serpentine designs.
Queen Ix Mutal Ahaw
Stylized illustrations of classical and tribal masks, Greek bust, and architectural column with "Coming Soon" text and ArtsQ logo.
Lady K'abal Xook from Yaxchilán
The Red Queen of Palenque / Lady Ix Tz'akbu Ajaw
A green mask of a woman covers her face
A relief sculpture shows a woman holding a bowl with a serpent rising behind her
Lady Ik' Skull / Lady Eveningstar of Yaxchilán

The Peten

Tikal, Calakmul, and more

Illustration featuring ancient art elements like a Greek vase, a sculpture bust, a column, and a tribal mask with the text 'COMING SOON' in the center.
Calakmul

Kings and Queens around the Peten

Tikal and Calakmul

Illustration featuring ancient art elements like a Greek vase, a sculpture bust, a column, and a tribal mask with the text 'COMING SOON' in the center.
Yuknoom Took’ K’awiil of Calakmul
Illustration with "COMING SOON" text and art elements, including a Corinthian column, ancient sculpture head, and Greek warrior, set against a blue background.
Yich'aak K'ahk of Calakmul

The Southeast

Copán, Quirigua, and Caracol

Illustration featuring ancient art elements like a Greek vase, a sculpture bust, a column, and a tribal mask with the text 'COMING SOON' in the center.
The Maize God

Puuc

Uxmal, Labna, Kabah, and more

Illustration featuring ancient art elements like a Greek vase, a sculpture bust, a column, and a tribal mask with the text 'COMING SOON' in the center.
Corbel vaults and Uxmal
Illustration featuring ancient art elements like a Greek vase, a sculpture bust, a column, and a tribal mask with the text 'COMING SOON' in the center.
Chahk and Kabah

The Epi-Classic and Post-Classic Maya

The Maya at Chichén Itzá and elsewhere in the Post-Classic offer exciting opportunities to talk about contact, cultural complexity, and trade

The Northern Yucatán

The most famous site here in Chichén Itzá

Stone carvings of skulls on a wall, likely from an ancient Mesoamerican site.
Skull rack at Chichén Itzá

Important terms and concepts

Skull rack (tzompantli)

Ballgame

Chichén Itzá

Yucatán Peninsula

Related Resources

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