By Before we conclude our journey aboard the Victoria Majestic in the Mexican and Caribbean region to embark on our adventure through West & North America, we’d like to introduce you to the fascinating cultures of the two most significant ancient civilizations, the Maya and the Aztecs. Discover the history, architecture, and art of these great cultures that have left a profound mark on Mexico’s rich cultural heritage.
The Aztec and Maya civilizations were far ahead of their time, capturing the imagination of many. But who were they really, and how were they able to achieve such incredible feats of engineering? The most intriguing question, however, is how these civilizations, with all their knowledge, could have vanished almost overnight.
Maya Civilization
The Maya civilization began to flourish around 2000 BC and lasted until the 16th century AD. It stretched across the southeastern parts of modern-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador.
The Maya were famous for their sophisticated writing system, one of the most advanced in ancient America. They carved their hieroglyphs into stone and used them in codices they created. They possessed advanced mathematical and astronomical knowledge, creating precise calendars, and were known for their geometric precision in architecture.
Maya cities like Tikal and Chichén Itzá were renowned for their monumental temples, pyramids, and palaces.
Tikal
The capital of one of the most important kingdoms of the ancient Maya Empire, Tikal is thought to have been inhabited by the Maya as early as 900 BC. By the 8th century, the city had reached the peak of its glory, with a population of 100,000, making it the largest city of the Maya civilization. However, by the end of the 9th century, Tikal fell into decline, and its citizens abandoned it, likely due to famine, drought, epidemics, and overpopulation. After its collapse, the jungle reclaimed Tikal, burying its buildings under thick vegetation. Tikal is a must-visit for every traveler. It was one of the most important cities in the Maya world, and with its ancient ruins, lush rainforest teeming with wildlife, and the mystical aura that fills the air, Tikal is a place that leaves everyone in awe.
Chichén Itzá
Every year, thousands of visitors gather at the ancient Maya city of Chichén Itzá on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, anticipating the descent of Kukulcán. They gather around the city’s pyramid, which the Spanish conquerors named El Castillo. According to legend, Kukulcán, the feathered serpent god, descends from the sky to bless his followers on Earth and then makes his way to the underworld, Xibalba.
In reality, during the spring and autumn equinoxes, the setting sun casts a shadow on the northern side of El Castillo that resembles the form of a serpent slithering down the stairs.
This effect is enhanced by the carved animal heads at the base.With its ordered stepped platforms and crowning temple, El Castillo is one of the most recognizable Mesoamerican pyramids. Each of its four sides features 91 steps. Together with the temple at the top, the total number of steps equals 365 – the number of days in the Maya solar year. The temple at the top was used exclusively by priests, who performed sacred rituals at a height that brought them closer to the sky gods.
Aztec Civilization
The Aztec civilization flourished from the early 14th century until the Spanish conquest in 1521. Their capital, Tenochtitlán, was built on the site of modern-day Mexico City and was located in the Valley of Mexico.
The Aztec had an advanced writing system based on pictograms. Their mythology and religion were rich, with the worship of numerous gods and goddesses. The Aztec calendar, much like the Maya one, was highly accurate and followed two main cycles: the 365-day solar year and the 260-day ritual year.
Aztec society was hierarchical, headed by the emperor (Huey Tlatoani), who ruled by divine right. Religion played a central role in Aztec life, and human sacrifices were frequently made to win favor with the gods. Huitzilopochtli, the god of the sun and war, was especially important to the Aztecs.
Tenochtitlán
The spiritual fortress of the Aztec world. Although not originally built by the Aztecs, they later occupied and revered this great city, particularly its Sun and Moon pyramids. Tenochtitlán was an astonishing city, home to around 200,000 people. It was built over 100 years ago on the shores of Lake Texcoco. The lake’s construction required the creation of orderly land platforms, leaving clean canal streets for canoe traffic, as well as bridges and walkways for pedestrians.
Tenochtitlán was an architectural masterpiece, featuring canals and artificial islands called chinampas. The Aztec temples, such as the Templo Mayor, were the centers of religious and political life, where sacrifices were made to the gods.
The Maya and Aztec civilizations not only stood out for their cultural and scientific achievements but also for their effective use of natural resources. These civilizations drew from their rich environments and developed their economies and ways of life through the natural resources at their disposal.
The Maya created advanced agricultural systems, such as terrace farming and clearing rainforests for cultivation. Corn, beans, squash, and cacao were their main crops. Cacao beans were not only used as food but also as currency.
Cacao, from which modern-day chocolate originates, was not only a delicious treat for the ancient Maya but also an integral part of their culture and economy. The Maya held deep reverence for this precious crop.
Cacao beans were ground and mixed with water, spices like chili and vanilla, to make a frothy drink called xocoatl. This cacao beverage was often consumed during rituals and religious ceremonies, as it was believed to have divine origins and to be a gift from the gods.
Cacao beans were also collected as taxes and exchanged between different layers of society.
Wealthy and noble Maya families often held cacao-drinking ceremonies, which also indicated their social status. The Maya believed that the cacao tree was a symbol of fertility and life, gifted to humans by the gods. Cacao beans were sacrificed in religious ceremonies to gain the favor of the gods.
The legacy of the Maya and Aztec civilizations is deeply embedded in Mexico’s cultural and historical fabric. The advanced social systems, architecture, science, and religion of these two civilizations are impressive testaments to human ingenuity and creativity. Victoria Cruises Line will take you to Mexico, where you can marvel at the remnants of these ancient cultures, evoking the glory of the past.