Who are the ‘Mayas’?

The Mayas are the American-Indian aborigines of the Yucatan area of Mexico. These people were generally round-headed, long-haired, brown complexioned and short. They spoke Yucatec. These people were the most civilized and advanced among all the American Indians. The settlements of these people were ceremonial centers, but they did not live there. The centers were used as markets, courts, city administration centers and for performing religious ceremonies. The Mayas actually lived around the villages. The ordinary Mayas lived in the outskirts of the ceremonial centers. Maize was the mainly cultivated crop. Yam was also cultivated. Metals were not used by Mayas. They used weapons made of stone, wood, and bones. They worshipped Rain, Wind, Soil, Sun, Moon and the cultivated Maize as Gods.