From the 3rd to the 16th centuries, the Mayans living in Central America created a splendid American culture. The main areas for the development and dissemination of Mayan culture are Yucatan Peninsula, eastern Chiapas, most of Guatemala and Honduras.
There is a lack of information on the formation period of Maya culture. The 3rd to 9th centuries are its classical period, and the 7th to 8th centuries are the most abundant, which can be called the golden age of Maya culture. But after the end of the 9th century, classical culture ceased.
At the end of the 10th century, Mayan culture developed in Chichin Icha in the northern Yucatan Peninsula and entered a powerful post-classical era. Around the city of Chichin Itza, several new city-states emerged, such as the city of Mahimar in the southwest and Mayaban in the south.
In the Mayan city-states, there are magnificent palaces and temples, and the temples are mostly pyramid-shaped or trapezoidal. The priest enjoys a dominant position in the lives of the people and controls the city life of the Mayans. Among them were officials, scholars, astronomers, and architects who taught history, divination, and hieroglyphics in the priest's school. The Mayans had outstanding achievements in mathematics and calendars. They used mathematical symbols 800 years earlier than Europeans. Their calendar is also more precise. They divide the 365 days of the year into 18 months, 20 days a month, and add 5 "taboo days" at the end of the year. There is a leap every 4 years and 1 day is added.
The Maya had hieroglyphics, but only the priests were literate and used it to record historical, religious and literary events. Because the Spanish invaders destroyed many Mayan manuscripts, it is difficult to study Mayan culture today.
In 1546, the Spanish colonists entered the Yucatan Peninsula, and the Maya and Mayan culture were miserable. Only the city of Tah Icha remained independent until 1691.