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1600 BCE
Rubber
Rubber was used to manufacture the balls used for the ritualistic sport played in ceremonial ball courts throughout Mesoamerica. The Maya also used rubber for waterproofing, craft production, trading, and religious rituals. -
300 BCE
Maya Art
The Maya created artwork from a variety of materials including wood, jade, obsidian, and earthenware, and decorated stone landmarks, stucco, and walls. Most of their art was created for religious and ritualistic purposes and ceremonial practices. These were also used for historical documentation, political achievements, and cultural expression. -
250 BCE
Maya Calendar
The Mayan Calendar is a hieroglyph-heavy calendar. It is not just a tool for timekeeping but a profound expression of Maya culture, knowledge, and spirituality. It also allowed the Maya to record historical events, predict celestial phenomena, and organize religious ceremonies. -
250 BCE
Maya Writing System
The Maya invented the most advanced form of writing, known as “glyphs" which were used to describe or represent a word, sound or even a syllable through pictures or symbols. During their time, glyphs were applied for recording almost all their activities and achievements. These also facilitated education and literacy among the elite classes, priests, scribes, and nobility. -
100 BCE
Ball Courts
The ball courts were used for games that were important to the Maya and were frequently played during religious celebrations, lasting for up to 20 days. The courts were situated at the foot of sanctuaries to pay tribute to the gods and goddesses. -
36 BCE
Mathematics
The Maya devised a unique numerical notation system that employed a combination of dots and bars, which is known as a vigesimal system. They used mathematics to support many activities in their daily lives, from market transactions to predicting eclipses and making sophisticated calendar calculations. -
250
Law and Order
The Maya developed a hierarchical government ruled by kings and priests. The Mayan laws were very strict, which regulated behavior, promoted social cohesion, and upheld collective values and interests within Maya communities. Hence, its implementation resulted to a peaceful civilization. -
300
Astronomy
The Maya studied the heavenly bodies and recorded information on the development of the sun, the moon, Venus, and the stars. They believed that these were governed by divine forces and played a crucial role in religious rituals, calendar development, urban planning, and navigation. -
400
Chocolate
The Maya mixed the cacao bean with pepper and cornmeal to make a fiery chocolate drink. Cacao beans were also used as glue by being boiled and mixed with different bases, and were even used as currency. -
1050
El Castillo Pyramid
The El Castillo Pyramid is aligned with astronomical phenomena, particularly the movements of the sun. It is used to predict eclipses and served as a religious center for the Maya people.