The Maya civilization, one of the most sophisticated and advanced pre-Columbian civilizations in the Americas, thrived in what is now Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and parts of El Salvador. Emerging around 2000 BCE, the Maya developed a highly complex society characterized by impressive achievements in architecture, mathematics, astronomy, and writing.

Maya cities, such as Tikal, Chichen Itza, and Palenque, featured towering pyramids, grand plazas, and intricate temples, showcasing their architectural prowess. The Maya were skilled astronomers, creating highly accurate calendars based on their observations of celestial bodies. Their mathematical system included the concept of zero, a groundbreaking achievement in the ancient world.

The Maya developed a writing system of hieroglyphs, used to record historical events, rituals, and royal lineages on stone monuments and codices. They were deeply religious, worshiping a pantheon of gods and practicing elaborate rituals, including human sacrifice.