By iastoppers.com
British-American explorers, wandering the Yucatan Peninsula in the 1830s, unveiled a civilization lost in time
The Maya's journey began between 7000 B.C. and 2000 B.C., as they transitioned from wandering nomads to settled communities
Their prosperity flourished with the cultivation of maize, with the Nixtamalization process turning it into a staple diet
As they grew, the Maya engaged in a rich cultural exchange with the enigmatic Olmec civilization
Their ingenuity led to the creation of intricate calendar systems, intertwining gods, civil life, and the infamous Long Count
Between 200-900 A.D., the Maya Civilization reached its zenith, with monumental cities like Tikal and Chichén Itzá dotting the landscape
Their religion was profound, seeing divinity even in inanimate objects, with rituals sometimes demanding human sacrifices
Pitz, more than just a sport, was a reflection of their creation myths, symbolizing the tales from the Popol Vuh
Yet, by the 10th century A.D., their splendor waned due to warfare, drought, and mysterious internal strife
While the civilization's grandeur decreased, the Maya people endure, preserving their legacy in Central America's heart