Ancient ArtLatin America Mayan HistoryBy Janelle Moskalyk

History and LocationA map detailing the areas in which the Mayan Civilization existed.

The Maya are one of the most prominent civilizations in South America. They originated around 2600 BC in Yucatan, and lasted around 900 AD, which is when the civilization began to crumble. The Mayan Civilization was at its peak by 250 A.D., primarily in modern day Southern Mexico, as well as western Honduras, El Salvador, and Northern Belize.*

Mayan Beliefs The Mayan people were Polytheistic. They believed in gods such as Itzamn, Kukulcn (Quetzalcatl), Bolon Tzacab, and Chac.

Itzamna was the creator god. Kukulcan, otherwise known as Quetzalcoatl, was the Feathered Serpent. Bolon Tzacab was thought to be the god of royal descent. Chac was the god of rain and lightning.*

Mayan PracticesThe Mayans had many practices. These practices include, but are not limited to: Astronomy, divination, and human sacrifice.

The Mayans were very interested in astrology, and had created calendars and mathematical techniques to predict solar activity. They also believed in pleasing the gods by means of sacrificial rituals. The picture on the left depicts Lady Xoc putting a barbed rope through her toungue. The picture to left is the Mayan Calendar.*

Characteristics in Mayan ArtThe Classic Mayan period was very sophisticated. The artists at this time produced stone sculptures, painted ceramics, clay figurines, and many pages of codecs.

The art produced in the Classic Mayan period was intricate, and throughout it, many differente mediums were practiced, such as painting, sculpting, drawing, and ceramic work. The art you see in this includes a golden monkey bell, and to the right is a jade pendant.*

Mayan TextsThe Mayans had a very elaborate culture, which of included hieroglyphics.These were carved into different types of surfaces, such as stone.

The Mayans carved into many different types of surfaces, not limited to stone. They did work on pieces of bone, pottery, and wrote on books (or codices) of bark paper. To the right is an example of the a Mayan heiroglyph.*

Important Mayan Texts

This is the Dresden Codex. It contains a description of predicting solar eclipses. It was writing before the Spanish conquest and is 74 pages. The colours were made from vegetable dyes, and primarily consisted of red, black and blue.*

Important Mayan Texts

This is the Madrid Codex. This piece of work was written after the Spanish conquest, most likely. Not much is known about its meaning, but it spans 112 pages, splitting into two parts named the Troano Codex, and the Cortesanius Codex.*

Mayan Sculptures A common form in Mayan sculptures was called stela. Artists would take massive stones and carve them into intricate pieces of work using rudimentary tools. They often included hieroglyphics.

Mayan sculptures called stela were created. These could be as big as 65 tonnes, and have a length of 10.5 meters. This is one of the sculptures, which is located in Quirigu. There is no evidence that points to artists using animals or special contraptions in order to cart these massive pieces of stone around.*

Mayan CeramicsCeramic pieces were anecdotal, unlike the large sculptures. These were usually made with clay and volcanic ash.

Ceramics pieces in Mayan culture gave the artist free reign to do what they like, and wasnt necessarily an exact reflection of their culture. This medium encouraged originality. The picture to the left is a small monkey. Its arms and legs have movement. It comes from the Pacific Lowlands. The picture to the left is a flask, and carved into it are two gods.*

Mayan PaintingsMayan paintings and drawings usually possess very rich colours.

This piece is a representation of musicians in Xibalba. The characteristics in Mayan paintings include very bright colours, such as red, blue, black, and yellow.*

Paintings

The Mayans chemistry and mineralogy to create specific colours. Just recently, the Mayan blue color was replicated. The picture on the left is an old cave painting in a Rio Azul tomb. The one on the right depicts a Maya man on a throne.*

Summary Mayan art and culture is very distinct. Often, its art incorporates hieroglyphics, bright colour, intricate carvings, and homage to the gods.

Mayan art and culture is something that will stand out in modern society for many years to come. Its artistic style is defined by its beautiful carvings, religious themes, not to mention its bright use of color using black, yellow, blue, and red. Mayan artists were masters of calligraphy, painting, and ceramic work.*

QuizWhen did Mayan culture originate?The Mayan culture worshipped many gods. This made them __________.What colours did they incorporate into their art?What did name was given to large sculptures?How many pages did the Madrid Codex contain?

Answers2600 B.C.PolytheisticBlack, blue, red, and yellowStela112 pages

The End

References1. http://www.lost-civilizations.net/mayan-history.html2. http://www.digitalmeesh.com/maya/history.htm3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_civilization4. http://www.religionfacts.com/mayan_religion/index.htm5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_codices#Background6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacrifice_in_Maya_culture7. http://www.authenticmaya.com/maya_art.htm

The Maya are one of the most prominent civilizations in South America. They originated around 2600 BC in Yucatan, and lasted around 900 AD, which is when the civilization began to crumble. The Mayan Civilization was at its peak by 250 A.D., primarily in modern day Southern Mexico, as well as western Honduras, El Salvador, and Northern Belize.*Itzamna was the creator god. Kukulcan, otherwise known as Quetzalcoatl, was the Feathered Serpent. Bolon Tzacab was thought to be the god of royal descent. Chac was the god of rain and lightning.*The Mayans were very interested in astrology, and had created calendars and mathematical techniques to predict solar activity. They also believed in pleasing the gods by means of sacrificial rituals. The picture on the left depicts Lady Xoc putting a barbed rope through her toungue. The picture to left is the Mayan Calendar.*The art produced in the Classic Mayan period was intricate, and throughout it, many differente mediums were practiced, such as painting, sculpting, drawing, and ceramic work. The art you see in this includes a golden monkey bell, and to the right is a jade pendant.*The Mayans carved into many different types of surfaces, not limited to stone. They did work on pieces of bone, pottery, and wrote on books (or codices) of bark paper. To the right is an example of the a Mayan heiroglyph.*This is the Dresden Codex. It contains a description of predicting solar eclipses. It was writing before the Spanish conquest and is 74 pages. The colours were made from vegetable dyes, and primarily consisted of red, black and blue.*This is the Madrid Codex. This piece of work was written after the Spanish conquest, most likely. Not much is known about its meaning, but it spans 112 pages, splitting into two parts named the Troano Codex, and the Cortesanius Codex.*Mayan sculptures called stela were created. These could be as big as 65 tonnes, and have a length of 10.5 meters. This is one of the sculptures, which is located in Quirigu. There is no evidence that points to artists using animals or special contraptions in order to cart these massive pieces of stone around.*Ceramics pieces in Mayan culture gave the artist free reign to do what they like, and wasnt necessarily an exact reflection of their culture. This medium encouraged originality. The picture to the left is a small monkey. Its arms and legs have movement. It comes from the Pacific Lowlands. The picture to the left is a flask, and carved into it are two gods.*This piece is a representation of musicians in Xibalba. The characteristics in Mayan paintings include very bright colours, such as red, blue, black, and yellow.*The Mayans chemistry and mineralogy to create specific colours. Just recently, the Mayan blue color was replicated. The picture on the left is an old cave painting in a Rio Azul tomb. The one on the right depicts a Maya man on a throne.*Mayan art and culture is something that will stand out in modern society for many years to come. Its artistic style is defined by its beautiful carvings, religious themes, not to mention its bright use of color using black, yellow, blue, and red. Mayan artists were masters of calligraphy, painting, and ceramic work.*