Thursday, June 6, 2013

The Astonishing And Unspoiled Tropical Mayan Rainforests

By Linda Patterson


The rainforest of the Mayan is the second largest rainforest in the world next to the Amazon rainforest. It covers the region of Mexico, Belize and North Guatemala. These regions are deemed to be the most well known destinations for Mayan jungle tours and adventure family vacations. It houses a variety of animal and plant species which can only be found in this region. Its rich natural resources had provided the ancient Maya civilization during its existence.

The Mayan rainforest was always attractive, untouched and mysterious. After the ancient Mayans came to exist centuries back they must have been encompassed by tall trees establishing an impenetrable cover overhead as well as thick scrub at their feet. However, credit would go to the ancient members of this civilization to have discovered means to make use of the plants and creatures in the most effective way possible as well as adjust to the forest in order to get lots of advantages from it.

Most of the Mayas are gifted with healing powers and they get these powers to heal from nature. The jungle provided them with natural resources to make their herbal medicines. They have traditional healing rituals and these have been passed by their forefathers to the next generations. In performing the ritual, the healers invoke the blessings from the four natural elements such as earth, water, wind and fire.

This region experiences a lot of rainfall and it has tropical climate. Seeing that a rainforest has the delicate ecosystem, it's crucial for just about any society that wishes to flourish to become sensitive to its environment. The Mayans have great regard for nature that is why they have protected it through the years which is reflected through mentions during rituals, inscriptions, texts, sculptures as well as arts.

The tropical rainforests possess a thin layer of top soil and historians are left wondering how the Mayans were able to construct their huge cities even with this limitation. Researchers stated that the ingenious methods for storing rainwater and cautiously selected farming methods have enabled the Mayans to sustain a very large population for many centuries. It is important to manage the available resources properly as this can save any civilization from being extinct.

Among the strategies utilized by the Mayas to provide for their city was constructing a huge water reservoir. Some of these reservoirs were firstly uncovered in the walls of the Uxul Maya city by archaeologists in 2010. Owing to its large area of 100 square meters, they called these reservoirs as monster pools. Also known as 'aguadas', these were built to provide the city dwellers water supply. The bottom of the aguada was found to have been made with ceramic shards and the top covering was composed of limestone, a rock which is plentiful in these areas. Their water lock system has impressed people as sealing the reservoir from all sides locks the water inside securely therefore the water supply for the dry months is guaranteed sufficient.

The quality of their building construction as well as their majestic structures left the world in admiration. They have employed the limestone in the rainforests as construction materials which have displayed their skillfulness and that have made it possible for their constructions to have withstood the test of time.

The well known Mayan ceramic art is caused by the supply of clay on the river banks which was first collected after which shaped in order to produce lovely pieces of art.

The ancient Mayans has left the generation of today a rich rainforest which continues to provide us with natural resources. One amazing way to see the heart of the tropical Mayan jungle and see the majestic Maya structures is to embark on a guided adventure tour.




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