Techdigitalweb – Mayans had an advanced civilization and invented some tools referred to as Mayan technology. It helped them to live and survive in a rainforest from time to time.
Their innovations supported them to adapt and survive for a very long time. So, in this article, we can learn about the tools and technologies used by Mayans. Here are the following technologies.
Astronomy
The most known technology developed was in astronomy. Mayans studied the heavenly bodies. Besides, they recorded information found from sun development, Venus, moon, and stars.
The Maya had 365 days in their Haab year. They calculated it to be 365.2420 days that were longer than 365 days. Compared to the Gregorian calendar, their calculation is more precise.
If we compare it to our calendar, the Maya calendar was more accurate. Mayan astronomers used 81 lunar months and constituted it as 2,392 days.
Maya also studied Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Mercury. They recorded celestial information such as obscuration or the path of one planet when it is in front of the other. From here, we know that Mayan astronomers were very accurate.
Ball Courts
The Maya had ball courts in each city as they loved these games. If we see it carefully, it is like a stadia in the present day. Ball courts are also known as part of Mayan technology.
The games were important to the Maya. They played it frequently during religious celebrations. It took up to 20 days for Maya to play the games.
The courts’ locations were also in a special place that was on the foot of sanctuaries. It showed that Mayans wanted to pay tribute to their gods and goddesses.
From the measurement, ball courts were expansive. It happens because they had a stone hoop placed on a divider located at one side.
Chocolate
The ancient Maya discovered many uses of the cacao bean. They became the first people who used it between 250 and 900 AD. They applied it as part of their daily meal.
The Maya consumed cacao beans by mixing them with peppers and cornmeal. They did it to make a fiery chocolate drink as sugar was a rare ingredient in those days. Besides, there was no dental care at that moment.
Because of that, the Maya did not suffer sugar-related illnesses, like diabetes or obesity. Yet, we can trace the modern-day chocolate drinks from the Maya.
Mayan technology also developed cacao beans to be used as glue. The Maya boiled and mixed them with diverse bases. Moreover, it has the same value as the currency at that period.
Law and Order
From the historical evidence, we also learned that the Maya had law and order. The Maya Empire used laws standardized in every state. Furthermore, it applied to all levels of society.
If one broke the law, they would go to court. Then, they would get punishments that depended on the crime. Through this brief explanation, we know that the Maya applied the laws for a very long time.
Another example of Mayan Technology development in law in order is the example of a murder case. Although it was an uncommon case, the punishment would be so extreme.
Let say one was found guilty doing murder. It made this person get executed. Moreover, the victim’s family would do reparations for the perpetrator with goods or land.
The family could get a house, cattle, goods, or land. So, the perpetrators’ families might lose everything. The whole family might leave the house and their assets as a consequence of the guilty verdict.
Mathematics
The development in Mayan Technology also included Mathematics. The Maya applied an accurate numerical system as part of the calculation. We can see the proof from the symbols.
The numerical system took only three symbols. They were 0 (shell shape), 1 (a dab), and 5 (a bar). Through this, we could know how to use it.
The symbols were applied to express numbers from 0 to 19. Then, they could use it for numbers after 19 in groups of 20 that were composed vertically with place markers.
It showed that the Maya had a fascinating system for Mathematics. By 36 BC, they had built the concept of 0 into their numbering system.
The Maya Calendar
The Maya was famous for its calendar. They used it based on a dating arrangement applied in Mesoamerican societies. Then, they standardized the systems into a modern calendar.
The Maya applied three distinctive dating frameworks. They were the Tzolkin (divine timetable), the Haab (common calendar), and the Long Count. So, each had its date calculation system.
The first is the Tzolkin that had 260 distinctive days. The second is the Haab that has the sun-based calendar with 365 days. The last is the Long Count made the calendar match to the estimated 360 days of the year.
Mayan Writing System
Mayan Technology also showed an improvement in the writing system. From the ancient Maya, we knew glyphs that became the most advanced form for writing.
Glyphs used pictures or symbols applied to describe or represent a word. Moreover, it was used to express sound and even a syllable. History revealed around 700 different glyphs used by the Maya.
Besides, there was also another surprising thing about glyphs. If we see it, 80 percent of the language is still understandable recently.
From the Maya script, we knew about their written word. It is admitted to be the most complete writing system in Mesoamerica. We can see the proof from the recording of Maya history.
Rubber
The Maya also produced latex as part of their agriculture system. History tells us that the Maya knew the way to make an elastic thing. They found it before Charles Goodyear invented the tire giant.
The Maya made elastic items from latex together with other Mesoamerican societies. They mixed it with other plant materials. So, they could mix it with various properties, including bouncy balls.
Later on, the bouncy balls used to play on their popular games. Thus, it showed proof of the use of elastic items that represent Mayan Technology.
