Ancient Mesoamerica: Some Art from the Classic Maya Period (Photo Diary)

The Maya flourished in the area south of the Valley of Mexico. The Maya reached their peak of urban development during the period which archaeologists call the Classis Period which dates from about 250 CE until about 900 CE. On the Maya calendar, the Classic Period begins in baktun 8 (a baktun is a period of 144,000 days or approximately 400 years) and it ends in baktun 10. The first evidence of Maya kings and dynasties is found at the beginning of the Classic Period.

It was during the Classic Period that Maya had dozens of urban settlements and thousands of smaller settlements. Archaeologists general divide the Classic Period into the Early Classic (250 CE to 600 CE) and Late Classic (600 CE to 900 CE).

The Maya were, of course, an agricultural people who raised maize (corn), beans, squash, and manioc. They had irrigation systems with large reservoirs which allowed them to continue farming during the dry seasons. In his book Elixer: A History of Water and Humankind, Brian Fagan describes the water system at the Maya city of Tikal in what is now Guatemala:

“During the rainy season, freshwater would flow down the steep sides and cascade into strategically places reservoirs. During dry spells, and the rainless months, the rulers would release water through carefully monitored channels into nearby field systems.”

The Portland Art Museum has a small display of objects from the Maya Classic Period. According to a display at the Portland Art Museum:

“This complex civilization was dominated by an elite who ruled from great cities while controlling the people and resources of the surrounding region. Maya art is noted for its elaborate yet realistic imagery and incorporation of a hieroglyphic writing system that provides a narrative for the subjects and scenes being portrayed.”

Writing in Mesoamerica started about 400 BCE among the Olmec. The Maya writing system is the most elaborately developed system in Mesoamerica. The Maya used writing to establish the sequence of rituals and to glorify the rulers. Unlike the early writing systems developed in Mesopotamia, the Maya writing system doesn’t seem to have been used for accounting.

Maya writings show that their ceremonial centers were ruled by elite men, and occasionally by elite women. The Maya rulers maintained close contact with the gods.

There was no overall Maya state or nation: the Maya had several city states which were often in conflict with one another.

Shown below are some of the items which are on display in the Portland Art Museum.

The bowl shown above dates to the Maya Late Classic. The cylinder vase shown above dates to the Maya Late Classic. It shows a seated Lord with attendants. The plate shown above dates to the Maya Late Classic. It features a deer figure. The ceramic jaguar half-mask shown above dates to the Maya Late Classic. The ceramic vessel shown above dates to the Maya Late Classic. The ceramic seated male whistle figure shown above dates to the Maya Late Classic. The stone vessel shown above dates to the Maya Preclassic. The ceramic cylinder vase shown above dates to the Maya Late Classic. It shows a seated lord. The stucco male head shown above dates to the Maya Late Classic. The ceramic figures shown above dates to the Maya Late Classic. The cylinder vase shown above dates to the Maya Late Classic. It features disembodied deity heads. The cylinder vase shown above dates to the Maya Late Classic. It features scenes from the Underworld. The cylinder vase shown above dates to the Maya Late Classic. It features a standing deity.