Art
The art of the Maya has been called the richest of the new world because of its great complexity of patterns and variety of media expressions. In early civilizations, earyl stone technology was limited to scrapers and crude knives. The most striking legacy of the Olmec civilization must be the colossal stone heads they produced. These were carved in basalt and all display unique facial features so that they may be considered portraits of actual rulers. Another permanent record of the Olmecs is found in rock carvings and paintings. Some of the maya architercture consisted of the lay-out of the Maya towns and cities, and more particularly of the ceremonial centers where the royal families and courtiers resided, is characterized by the rhythm of immense horizontal stucco floors of plazas often located at various levels, connected by broad and often steep stairs, and surmounted by temple pyramids. The maya writing was different then other anciet writings but also had some similarities. The Maya writing system consists of about 1000 distinct characters or hieroglyphs and like many ancient writing systems is a mixture of syllabic signs and logograms. Artistically, the Olmec were one of the first civilizations to develop large ceremonial complexes, carve bas-reliefs and statues in the round, and create huge stone mosaics.
The art of the Maya has been called the richest of the new world because of its great complexity of patterns and variety of media expressions. In early civilizations, earyl stone technology was limited to scrapers and crude knives. The most striking legacy of the Olmec civilization must be the colossal stone heads they produced. These were carved in basalt and all display unique facial features so that they may be considered portraits of actual rulers. Another permanent record of the Olmecs is found in rock carvings and paintings. Some of the maya architercture consisted of the lay-out of the Maya towns and cities, and more particularly of the ceremonial centers where the royal families and courtiers resided, is characterized by the rhythm of immense horizontal stucco floors of plazas often located at various levels, connected by broad and often steep stairs, and surmounted by temple pyramids. The maya writing was different then other anciet writings but also had some similarities. The Maya writing system consists of about 1000 distinct characters or hieroglyphs and like many ancient writing systems is a mixture of syllabic signs and logograms. Artistically, the Olmec were one of the first civilizations to develop large ceremonial complexes, carve bas-reliefs and statues in the round, and create huge stone mosaics.
Science
The may came up with an advanced calendric system. The development of writing enabled knowledge to be stored and communicated across generations with much greater fidelity. Combined with the development of agriculture, which allowed for a surplus of food.
Society and Religion
Maya- Kings were involved in Maya society and were a big deal. The Maya worshipped many gods and beleived they influences daily life.The Maya always preformed private and public rituals to keepy the gods happy. Religous ceremonies were led by preists. Preists and professional warriors were apart of the upper class. Merchants and skilled craftspeople were right below them. Farmers and slaves were apart of the lower class and worked for the wealthier people.
Aztecs- It was strictly divided into different social classes. At the top of the social order was the king, but he had to be elected by a group of nobles. Just below the king in Aztec society were priests.The Aztecs usually used slaves or prisoners of war as sacrifices. Not quite part of the upper class were merchants and artisans. Most people in Aztec society were farmers. Those in Aztec society who suffered the most were slaves.
Maya- Kings were involved in Maya society and were a big deal. The Maya worshipped many gods and beleived they influences daily life.The Maya always preformed private and public rituals to keepy the gods happy. Religous ceremonies were led by preists. Preists and professional warriors were apart of the upper class. Merchants and skilled craftspeople were right below them. Farmers and slaves were apart of the lower class and worked for the wealthier people.
Aztecs- It was strictly divided into different social classes. At the top of the social order was the king, but he had to be elected by a group of nobles. Just below the king in Aztec society were priests.The Aztecs usually used slaves or prisoners of war as sacrifices. Not quite part of the upper class were merchants and artisans. Most people in Aztec society were farmers. Those in Aztec society who suffered the most were slaves.