The Mayan Religion, Essay Example

The Mayan religion influence on development of science and technology

The Mayan religion played a significant role in influencing their development of science and technology. They belonged to polytheist religion that involved the worship of gods of nature. This led the Mayans to achieve remarkable scientific success in the field of agriculture, communications, astronomy and engineering. The Mayans were in a good position of developing a complex information background in the field of astronomy during their time (Geller, 625). The Mayans had also developed agriculture knowledge that enabled them to cultivate foods like cassava, corn, squash and beans in places that were sometimes considered as inhospitable. The Mayans could also construct complex cities though they had no modern machinery. They could also effectively communicate with the aid of written language and time measurements with the use of two complicated systems of calendar.

Due to their polytheist religion, the Mayans believed that their daily life was influenced by cosmos. They therefore accumulated sufficient knowledge of celestial bodies such as prediction of the solar eclipse. Important events such as planting and harvesting times were predicted with the use of astrological cycles which consequently led to the development of two calendars that are now a replica of the modern day calendar and the temples (Hurd, 57). The advanced knowledge in astronomy was incorporated in their religious structures. The advances and beliefs lead to the growth of Mayan influence. The Mayans constructed intricate temples as well as great cities without having to use essential tools. But in some cases, modern innovations coupled with some modern tools were used as was the case in decorative arts. This advances in technology made the Mayans a rich and influential society which was the consequence of the Mayan influence.

Bibliography

Geller, Theresa L. “Maya Deren.” In Movies in American History: An Encyclopedia. Edited by Phillip DiMare, 623–626. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-Clio, 2011.

Hurd, Mary G. Women Directors and Their Films. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2007.