Many years ago, thousands of people were toiling away in the blazing heat of the Yucatan, precisely placing adobe bricks on what would later be some of the most remarkable and grand structures in the world. The Mayan civilization was one of the most refined and sophisticated cultures in the world, and their impressive architecture shows the world today of the power that they had. About more than 2,000 miles away, the Egyptians were building the Great Pyramids in Giza, the greatest masterpieces of Egypt. Despite the facts that the pyramids for each civilization had slight differences, such as purpose and structure, this is just an example of how although both of their empires were surprisingly similar, they were also very different from each …show more content…
For example, the Egyptians believed that the Pharaoh was a god, and so they constructed many pyramids , which acted as tombs, filled with everything the pharaoh could possibly need in the afterlife. They were square-based pyramids that were secured and built in such a way so that tomb-raiders were not able to get in, or if they did manage to get in, would get lost in the intricate series of mazes. The Mayans, however, built pyramids that were flat topped and had steps leading up to the top, upon which you would sacrifice to the gods. The Mayans also put in a lot of time for stone-carvings, which beautified the structures they constructed. They stone carved calendars onto the ceilings of temples, the calendars were to know which god was in charge of which day, so that they could plan accordingly. Both of these empires had structures so advanced that most of them still stand today and are still considered some of the tallest formations to this very day, and Mayan calendar was only off by about five days! This goes to show how complex and steadfast these empires
Over a thousand years ago in the Mesoamerica region the culture that we know as Maya thrived. They had an amazement and intrigued fascination over the technical mastery of their intellectual studies. The Mayan’s history is rich with remarkable human achievements, as well as stories. Some of their most recognizable masterpieces are the Mayan trade network, building Cities, the Mayan number system, and the Mayan calendar.
Around 1800 B.C. to A.D. 250, the Mayans prospered in Central America and became one of the famous empires of all time (Jarus). Because this civilization conquered so long ago, it is important to know how they were successful in doing so. Just like the Aztecs and Incas, the Mayan society learned how to grow and prosper through farming (Jarus). The Mayan empire is also known for constructing large pyramids for their gods, and also for the creation of hieroglyphics (Jarus). The Mayans were very smart and created an empire like no other in the Americas.
The Egyptians created several different systems that were used for constructing pyramid. One of those system would be the ramp and lever pully system and this allowed them to place bricks and stones on top of each other with ease. Another Advancement that helped the Egyptians with construction was mathematics and astronomy, and they were very good at
The main reason the Aztecs built such amazing structures was to honor their gods. During this time period the resources for building were extremely limited making the pyramids a magnificent achievement that to this day baffles historians. They used simple tools, and had barely any knowledge on how to build them. On top of these extraordinary projects the level of detail was simply spectacular. “The inside walls were ornamented with either sculpture or painted…
For living in a time period where there was not a lot of technological advances that would help them build what they wanted at a faster pace, they had to learn to work with what they had. They also had to learn how to work with materials to be able to make the magnificent and amazing temples, that they are known for. “ The general temple-pyramid consisted of a platform, a long, broad, steep double staircase going up the center, with balustrades going up the sides of the steps. The Aztecs used sculpted stone blocks and skulls to decorate the platform and the ends of the balustrades” (General Construction of Pyramid-Temples). The Aztecs used and made platforms and tools that would help them make their temples better and better each time.
THE GREATEST MAYAN ACHIEVEMENT The Maya were one of the greatest ancient civilizations, and they had many achievements that were just as great as them. The achievements range from writing systems to great masonry architecture, but three particular Mayan achievements stand out as their greatest accomplishments. These three achievements are the Maya’s number system, which is one of the first number systems to have a zero, their giant trade network spanning the entire Yucatan peninsula, and their extremely accurate calendar.
The Mayans’ greatest achievement was neither developing a calendar, nor establishing a complex trade system- but rather, the building of their gigantic cities. But what defines excellency? The answer can be categorized into four sections: significance, scale, genius, and effort. The ancient Mayan civilization thrived in isolation, and it wasn’t until recently that we began to truly appreciate their culture and accomplishments.
The great pyramid of giza is a great artifact because it was built with many stone bricks. It was used for a couple bariuls of kings and phorohs. You used to be able to go in it but now you can’t. Keep reading to find out more interesting facts about The Great Pyramid of Giza.
Maya Science And Technology At their peak, the Maya were a colossal force in Central America with over 50 city-states. The empire was known for its fascinating technological advancements in many different areas. The cultural achievements of the Maya prove their civilization was advanced in the medieval era through astronomy, roadways and waterworks, and mathematics. The Mayan knowledge of astronomy could not be rivaled by any other civilization.
The magnificent Maya are known for some of the most important human achievements in the history of the world. The Maya were a large group of people that lived in the rainforests of Mesoamerica beginning around 3,000 years ago. In this essay I'll be discussing all of the achievements and what made them remarkable, these will be judged as scale, genius, effort, and significance. The Maya had several remarkable achievements which included their trade network, a number system, calendars, and building cities. All are noteworthy however, the way that the Maya built their cities was the most remarkable of all.
B) Maya architecture also incorporates various art forms and hieroglyphic texts. Masonry architecture built by the Maya recommended craft specialization, central organization, and political power. The architecture was a remarkable achievement because they built great pyramids, stone palaces, temples, ball courts and other ritual buildings that require lots of effort to make. In fact, "for the single home of a Copan nobleman, It has been estimated that at least 80 to 130 workers would have been employed full time to finish in two to three months." (Document B)
Everything was perfectly planned out. As the calendar says, they have to sacrifice one of their own to please the Gods. The Mayan people would get together as a whole to practice their religious ceremony at the temple. The Mayan and Aztec civilizations are two ancient civilizations that were located near Central and South America. The Mayan civilization was more remarkable than the Aztecs because of their advanced knowledge.
The ancient Mayans, who lived in parts of present-day Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, created one of the most complex and advanced civilizations in the Western Hemisphere. The Mayans accomplished many remarkable and influential achievements, most notably, in art, astronomy, and engineering. The achievements of the Mayans influenced the cultures around them and are still influential today. The Mayans created amazingly sophisticated works of art.
The colossal structures, stacked stories high, still dumbfound historians today on how they managed to build in such perfection. Theories have arisen how the huge blocks of stone were raised into position and why they were assembled at all. It is clear some were tombs for the king and his family but the subsidiary pyramids in the complex, puzzle archeologists on their purpose. The labor force needed to construct such a massive structure would require an advanced society, far ahead of other civilizations; not only in architecture but government as well. Building of the pyramids not only satisfied religious beliefs, but also benefited the economy.
With both civilizations being developed around 3500 BC, there are many similarities and differences between the Egyptians and the Mayans. The Egyptians developed their empire in Northeast Africa, which affected the way they farmed and built their cities. The Mayans developed their civilization in MesoAmerica, which influenced their culture differently from the Egyptians. The farming techniques, architecture, and religion were all influenced by the environment they lived in.