It is generally believed that what we recognize as the ancient Maya culture began around 300 AD as an offshoot of the Olmec civilization. The central Mexican city of Teotihucan traded with the Maya and its influence can clearly be seen in some Maya sites, such as Tikal. In fact, the collapse of Teotihucan in the sixth century had a notable effect on the Maya, causing a virtual standstill of new construction for several decades.
Between 600 AD and 800 AD , the Classic Maya theories have been proposed to explain this "collapse" including: over-population, extensive warfare, revolt of the farmer/laborer class, or any number of devastating natural disasters. Whatever the reason, its effect was contained to the central region
By the time of the Conquest, the Maya civilization was in its Post Classic phase and had reverted to an essentially Maya culture in scattered city-states. It was this lack of cohesion that would thwart the Spaniard's attempts to conquer the Maya. Although the Maya have endured repression and persecution in one form or another for the past 500 years, more than 6 million descendants still maintain a culture that is distinctly Maya in areas of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. | |
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