Mayan people today
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Many people think that the Mayan civilisation died out, but their descendants still live among us today.
Mayan prophecy predicted that the end of the world would arrive on 21 December 2012. But for the Mayans themselves, their world ended in the ninth century. Their population was depleted and their monumental cities deserted.
The cause of this human catastrophe seems to be found in a climatic change that heralded a long period of drought. Crops were failing and, without any food or reserves of water, millions of Mayans died from starvation and thirst.
However, Mayans did not disappear. Those who survived were scattered throughout the Yucatán Peninsula, settling in little rural communities - very different from the big urban centres that had emerged during their time of splendour.
It's estimated that in the former Mayan empire (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Belize and the five Mexican states of Yucatán, Campeche, Quintana Roo, Chiapas and Tabasco) there are six million Mayan descendants today, from 25 different ethnic groups
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The Mayan language (Mayaa T'aan) is currently spoken by around 800,000 people, spread mainly in the Yucatán Peninsula. Since 2003 it has been recognised as a national language.
The religious celebrations of the old Mayans were spread throughout the year, with the New Year community feast being the most important. Today, the current Mayans celebrate the religious festivities of the Christian calendar.
The short stature of the Mayan natives compared with other people of Middle America still remains today. Anthropological studies suggest that the average stature of ancient Mayan women was below 146 cm
High-ranking ancient Mayans applied pressure to the foreheads of the newborns, deforming the skull into a broad forehead as it was considered a symbol of nobility.
An element always present in the humble homes of many Mayans is the traditional Yucatan hammock. In some native homes it is the only piece of furniture in the house
Catholic religious iconography is very much present in every aspect of the life of current Mayans.
Two young girls pose wearing huipils, the traditional dress from the Yucatán Peninsula introduced by the Spaniards to 'protect morals'. Before the arrival of the conquerors, Mayan women used to go bare-chested.
The dominant vegetation of the Yucatán Peninsula is tropical jungle. Some old Mayan cities still remain partially covered by this dense vegetation today.
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Mayan people today
"We trolled the world with our Calander
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