Maya Weapons & Warfare

 

The Maya are a race that has existed for about 3,000 years. In this large time span much has happened. The Maya have built temples, learned how to use the land, hunt, and much more. This page will only feature a small part in this races history, their battle. Upon a field hundreds maybe thousands of fearless soldiers grasp in they’re hands spears of wood with obsidian tips, shields beautifully decorated with colorful feathers of red, yellow, green, and blue. Arrows fly through the air, whizzing past the heads of their foes this is a Mayan battle taking place.
In the ninth century the Mayan empire collapsed into a heap of destruction and war. Chaos rained over the Yucatan peninsula and the Maya lifestyle was changed forever. Maya warfare was mostly about gods, not about tactics although they did use some war tactics. The god of war, Sun jaguar was the main Maya god. Before every battle warriors would ask for his help in the battle. The spiritual part of battle was used just as much as the material part of battle. When the conqueror of Guatemala, Pedro de Alvarado fought the Quiche Maya in 1523 they charged him disguised as eagles and lightning only to be brought down by the superior Spanish forces.
Weapons were needed in warfare unless you were using your bare fists. Some of their spectacular weapons were:

1. Bow and Arrow

A projectile weapon used for long range combat. This weapon was created approxamatly 2,500 years ago.

2. Knife

A close range blade used for stabbing.

3. Spear

An either close or long range weapon. It is a long pole with a blade at the tip. It could be thrown or used as a sabbing weapon.

4. Atlatl (spear thrower)

A device used for throwing the spear. The spear was placed in a groove on the Atlatl then the atlatl was strapped to the arm. After throwing the spear the tip of the spear (a dart) was projected out of the spear into the pray. After the battle was over the spear part (not the dart) could be retrived.

5. Club (maquahuitl)

This was somewhat like a log used to crush the enemy, not stab them. The club was widely used.

6. Sickle

A curved blade used for cutting grass. It could also be used for battle.

This is how Maya fought and what they used for fighting.