Riviera Maya

Riviera Maya, Mexico may be home to many resorts and tourist site but many years ago it was home to a civilization that was highly advanced. Their civilization spread across much of southern Mexico, and other parts of Latin America. The earliest Mayans were known for their religion, they had many gods for different things. They had over 160 different gods and goddesses and most were associated with nature. Mayans often gave human sacrifices to their gods. The Mayans also worshipped time and were believed to have 5 great cycles.

"Jaguars represented the first world cycle that destructed the earth, the second cycle caused by air, the third by fire, and the fourth by a great flood. The fifth cycle, in which we are currently living in, is destined to end man’s reign in the world by a catastrophic earthquake. The Maya believed this present cycle began August 13, 3114 B.C. and would end December 22, 2012. This would complete the end of another solar cycle of almost 5,200 years which, together with the other four great cycles, total 26,000 years, a duration that approximates the known 25,920-year cycle of the precession of the equinoxes." (http://www.rivieramaya.ws/mayanhistory/)

Most people know the Mayans for the building and pyramids that still stand today. I was lucky enough to visit these ruins on a trip I took with my family in 2007. We visit the city of Tulum which is right on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. I learned a lot of information on that day long trip there.


At the small place where the two stones on the left meet is where the Mayans could tell it was spring time. The sun would set right in between those two stones and they would know that spring had arrived.


This is the top of the highest building where religious rituals would be preformed.


This is a photo of the center of the city.



this is another building at the edge of the city's center. In this same direction was where a road stretched through the rain forest to connect the Mayan people to one another for trading.


This is where the boys would go to school to learn about traditions and religious practices.