Maya Civilization (c. 2000 BCE – 1500 CE)

The Maya civilization, flourishing in Mesoamerica, was a powerhouse of intellectual and artistic achievement. They developed a sophisticated writing system, accurate astronomical calendars, and complex mathematics, including the concept of zero. Their towering stepped pyramids and vast city-states, like Tikal, dominated the rainforest. Masters of agriculture and trade, their cultural legacy and mysterious decline continue to captivate scholars and inspire wonder about this deeply spiritual and advanced society.