Maya Science And Technology: Collossal Force In Central America

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. Many Mayan practices and techniques are still used in modern societies. The Maya were able to use their knowledge of astronomy to create one of the most precise calendars known to man. Mayan astronomers were able to record many events in the sky, including equinoxes, solstices, zeniths, lunar phases,

The Maya had constant rain, and more water than they knew what to do with. The excess water would have flooded the cities and caused many other problems if it weren't for the advanced waterworks system of the Maya. Archaeologists discovered Mayan aqueducts in the medieval city of Palenque. One aqueduct, said to be called the Otulum aqueduct, was used to prevent flooding and erosion from water running down a nearby mountain. It functions by redirecting water into an artificial canal with around 32,000 feet for water storage. By doing this, the Maya saved themselves while also preserving the livable land in the area (#3). This proves that the Maya were unbelievably advanced for their era because they were able to work with their resources rather than be harmed by them. The Maya saved their civilization by controlling the water. Another problem with too much rain is that it makes the land very marshy. Since the land was so marshy, the Mayans could not build roads directly on the ground, so they had to improvise. Highway roads named sacbeobs were built above land. These sacbeobs were a crucial part of the empire because it allowed them to effortlessly travel and relay important information amidst city-states. Grand networks of sacbeob were all over the valley, and many were constructed under the watch of some of the most powerful rulers in Mayan history (#1). This justifies that the Maya were advanced because they were able to conquer the struggles of the landscape and could connect multiple cities hundreds of miles away. Very few medieval civilizations had a road system as complex and efficient as the Maya. Ultimately, the Maya were able to get to where they were by controlling the resources around