Who Were the Maya? Discover the Truth About a Great Civilization

This documentary explores the remarkable history of the Maya civilization, from its early origins around 1000 B.C. to its gradual decline before the arrival of Spanish conquistadors. The Maya built powerful independent city-states such as Tikal, Uxmal, Copán, Chichen Itzá, and Palenque. Their society was ruled by divine kings, who served as intermediaries between humans and the forces of nature. Deeply religious, the Maya practiced elaborate rituals. They were pioneers in astronomy, mathematics (including the use of zero), and developed a complex glyphic writing system, mostly carved in stone and painted on ceramics. Their cities featured monumental pyramids, temples, palaces, and ball courts. The ball game, highly ritualized, sometimes ended with the sacrifice of a player to honor the gods. The reasons for the Maya collapse remain uncertain: internal warfare, environmental disasters, social upheaval, or religious crises are among the possible causes. However, the Maya people did not disappear entirely. Some communities continued to preserve their traditions and culture into the 17th century and beyond.