There are so many fascinating things about the Mayan civilization.The most fascinating thing about them is their sudden disappearance. The Mayans were the only ones in pre-Colombian Americas to have a fully developed written language. They also developed astronomy and calendrical systems.The Mayans also invented chocolate,herbal medicines,and basketball.They also had a complex society divided into classes and professions.The Mayans had hospitals,schools,and libraries. They also had big sports arenas.The Mayans wrote thousands of books and were established in 2600 B.C. Mayans had centers in Mexico,Belize,Guatemala,Honduras,and El Salvador. Major Mayan city-states were Tikal,Palenque,&Quirigua.They built religious centers and palaces for their rulers.The largest palace was in Cancuen.They participated in trade with the Zapotec,and other groups. In the 8th and 9th centuries the highly advanced Mayan centers went into decline.Then around 1000 A.D. they abandoned most of their cities. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived the Mayan cities were overgrown ruins.For some reason Chichen itza,which was built by the Mayans,was abandoned around 900A.D.Palenque was the first Mayan city to be abandoned.The Spanish ordered the Mayan books be burned.Only four Mayan books still exist but no one fully understands them.Over 80 theories attempt to explain the Mayan collapse. Some think there was a invasion or some sort of catastrophic event.Another theory suggests that there was a peasant uprising.The Maya still live in central America but what drove them from their highly advanced cities?
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