The Mayan Empire achieved remarkable accomplishments in various fields, including agriculture, architecture, astronomy, writing, and mathematics.
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Agriculture: The Mayans developed advanced agricultural techniques, such as slash-and-burn farming and terracing, which allowed them to cultivate maize, beans, and squash efficiently in diverse environments.
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Architecture: They built impressive stone cities with monumental architecture, including pyramids, palaces, and temples adorned with intricate carvings and murals. Notable sites include Tikal, Palenque, and Chichen Itza.
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Astronomy: The Mayans had a profound understanding of celestial movements and were able to accurately predict astronomical events such as solar eclipses and the movements of planets. They developed a complex calendar system that tracked the cycles of the sun, moon, and planets.
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Writing: The Mayan civilization created one of the most sophisticated writing systems in pre-Columbian America, using hieroglyphs to record history, religion, and daily life.
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Mathematics: They made significant advancements in mathematics, including the concept of zero and a base-20 numeral system, which was crucial for their astronomical calculations and calendar systems.
These achievements reflect the intellectual and cultural richness of the Mayan civilization, making it one of the most advanced societies of its time. However, the claim regarding "Mayan languages are no longer spoken today" is incorrect; many Mayan languages are still spoken by millions of people in the region. The assertion that Mayan astronomers went to outer space is also inaccurate; while they were skilled in astronomy, they did not have space travel capabilities.