The Mayans of Mesoamerica Essay -- essays research papers fc

The Mayans of MesoamericaThe ancient Mayans were a very well developed connection with a very accurate calendar, skilled architects, artisans, extensive traders and hunters. They are known to provoke developed medicine and astronomy as well. All of this was developed charm the Europeans were still in the Dark Ages. Their empire covered an area of roughly 400,000 to 500,000 square kilometers. This area included the present day countries of Belize, Guatemala, western Honduras and El Salvador, and in like manner southern portions of Mexico. These lands have a very diverse terrain, from the mountainous highlands to the tropical lowlands. The wide range of geographical features meant that the Mayans food sources varied depending on their location. The Mayan hunters pursued queen-size game like jaguars, wild boars, and snow leopards as well as small game like hares, rabbits, and squirrels. The three animals that seem to be the most preponderant in Mayan writings are the deer, iguana , and the quetzal bird. This has led archeologists to believe that these animals must have been more than just a food source. It is believed that the quetzal bird was not killed but only captured. While it was captured, they would pluck the feathers from it because they were considered very valuable. The Maya viewed hunting as more than just a food source, similar to the other native peoples we have studied. They had certain rituals t...