The Maya, the great stargazers, are the most spectacular and intriguing civilizations of Mesoamerica.  There is evidence of the Maya culture being influenced in part by Olmec heritage; however their religious and cosmic concepts would catapult the Maya beyond their predecessors.

The Mayan civilization is divided into three time periods which spanned roughly 3,000 years.

• The first is from 2000 B.C.-250 A.D and known as the Pre-Classic Period.
  

• The second is called the Classic Period and spanned from 250 A.D.-900 A.D.
  

• From 900 A.D.-1500 A.D. is the third and final period; the Post-Classic Period. 
  

The Maya lived in the eastern third of Mesoamerica, primarily on the Yucatan Peninsula. The Maya are a group of Native American tribes who have the same linguistic organization.