Today,
the descendants still account for sizable populations and maintain a
distinctive set of traditions and beliefs. Mayan art is sophisticated
and beautiful and the carvings are exquisite, showing a grace and
accurate observation of the human. The art that survived include
funerary pottery, ceramic work and murals that survived by serendipity.
The Maya blue, a beautiful turquoise blue color has survived through
the centuries. However, in time the technique was lost. Some of the
unearthed murals are by far the finest in style and iconography.
Architecture
Mayan
architecture spans many thousands of years. The most dramatic and
easily recognizable styles are the stepped pyramids. There are also
cave sites like the Jolja, Naj Tunich, Candelaria and Witch that speak
volumes about their architecture. Every fifty-two years, temples and
pyramids were remodeled and rebuilt, probably by a new ruler. The North
Acropolis at Tikal is determined to be the sum total of 1,500 years of
architectural modifications! Through observation of the stylistic
distinctions, remnants of the architecture enable us to understand the
evolution of their ancient civilization.
The Remnants of Study
Their
architecture integrated a great degree of natural features, dictated by
the topography of each independent location. While some cities were
designed on flat plains of the northern Yucatán, others were built in
the hills and utilized the natural loft of the topography to raise
towers and temples. Their urban designs were distinct with the division
of space between monuments and causeways. There were public plazas and
distinct interior spaces that were entirely secondary. Later, the
cities developed into more fortress-like defensive structures.
Depending on the location of natural resources, the cities grew by
using causeways, to connect the plazas with buildings.
Contemporary
Mayans practice many of these traditional forms of agriculture and
their illustrated accounts of the ruins have once again helped them
regain their position as a vital link in Mesoamerican heritage
