Well, I've been planning on making a TL about a surviving Mayan civilization since I joined, in fact it was my sole reason for joining, and I've decided I've put it off far too long. It's been a long journey formulating the research that'll go into this, a journey which is far from over. I've had lots of trouble with details and political-religious aspects of the Mayan culture, so at first I might just have to start with the background and POD, a set up to what I hope amounts to a successful TL. Now, any constructive criticism or feedback would be highly appreciated, especially when we get to the point where the butterflies will start affecting the Spanish and everyone else as well. After all, this is my first actual timeline. I might need a load of help if it gets too bad. Until then, please enjoy!
The POD, for those who are wondering, is actually so far back that those without a detailed knowledge of Mayan history may not know how it could help them in the 1500's. Admittedly, that might mean everyone but me 'cause I'm a dork, but ah well. In the Late Preclassic era, the site of El Mirador (the largest Maya city in history) is abandoned earlier and the Mayans apply the lessons from that city's fall earlier rather than repeat the same mistakes in the Classic era that resulted in the great Collapse that everyone talks about.
To be honest, due to the spottiness of Mayan history (much is still unconfirmed or uncertain, partially due to burning books, partially due to looters destroying everything to sell stuff on the black market, I've made up details not known officially and filled in some spots.
Oh, and apologies to Jared if he feels I am copying his title, I only felt it appropriate to name a Maya-TL after what they call their own land. And I must also thank this webpage, for the graphic calendar converter I shall make great use of. Why must I use it, you ask? Well why not?
Land of Turkey and Deer: How the Mayans survived the Great Lament
When the Spanish conquistadores landed on the shores of the New World, they asked the natives what they called their land. They responded, "Ci u than" or, "I don't understand what you're saying." The Spanish, over time, turned this into Yucatan, and so we called it too. The Maya also says his land is Yucatan in Spanish, but in his own tongue, it is Uluumil Cutz Yetel Ceh, the Land of Turkey and Deer.
The year 8.5.0.0.1, on the day of 13 Imix 14 Kankin (April 1, 140 AD), was a day of great sorrow for the people of Oxte'tun [1], it was the day the city had been officially declared dead. It was a most auspicious day to declare the death of the site and the moving of the dynasty to the northeast, to the city of Dzibanche. It was the end of a cycle, the cycle which Oxte'tun, "The God's Place of Birth", had been the seat of. Being the seat of a cycle meant great prestige, in addition to a sign of the strength and holiness of a city. But Oxte'tun had been falling apart for a while. The two great pyramid complexes largest in the known world, were not yet completed but construction had ceased long before as they were simply running out of resources. The soil had also been eroding and they were suffering famine. The death god stalked the corn, and many people had entered the water [2]. Of course it had all been prophesied be the Chilanes, soothsayers, but it still hurt the people to see their city come to this. So, when the rituals for the end of the seating of the cycle started, with the symbolic destruction of the city and its road, the people actually started following the ruling Kan dynasty uproad to Dzibanche.
To the south, as the Kan kingdom fell apart, their rival Kaminaljuyu, the great city of the south, was very much relieved. They had been weaker than their rivals, but the strength of the Kan had actually caused their own defeat. Now the only serious rivals of Kaminaljuyu were the highland Maya, who were very alien to them, and spoke unintelligibly. Aside from them, there were also the small cities to the east, around the Ulua rivers, chief of which was Xuxpi. The kingdom of Mutul, a minor power in Oxte'tun's time, was making great waves as it grew to new heights, making alliances to the east and west, especially with the kingdoms along the Usamacinta River.
Dzibanche also seemed predetermined for greatness. It was on a great trade network, very close to the sea and the port of Chetumal, and there was an abundance of resources nearby. They made much trade from the nearby honey orchards and cotton and cacao plantations. It was even further from the rising power of Mutul or Kaminaljuyu than were Calakmul or Oxte'tun. The Kan dynasty was keen on making Dzibanche more glorious and sacred even than Oxte'tun. They inaugurated the katun with the blood of the nobles from the south, their heads rolling down the steps of the rising pyramids to the sound of trumpets and drums. Much labor was made out of the defeated soldiers of the city of Oxhuitza and the Kantu kingdom, their backs bearing great quantities of limestone to build recreations of the great pyramids of Oxte'tun.
The growing power of Mutul had to be checked, however. Dominated a major crossroads, they were fabulously rich, at least as much as Dzibanche was, and about as large and populous too. Since the day 8.17.1.4.13, 12 Ben 16 Mac (14 January, 378 AD) Mutul had been ruled by a dynasty of Toltec lineage, set up on that date by one Siyah K'ak', a general of Atlatl Cauac, the king of the mighty Mexican city of Teotihuacan. Ever since he set his son up as the king of Mutul, they had started hegemonical empire by making allies or vassals out of Xuxpi, Lakam Ha, and numerous smaller cities. Dzibanche responded by setting up Oxhuitza as a vassal, along with Saal and Pa' Chan, chief city of the Usamacinta River with many vassals of its own. Very soon the two powers began proxy wars against one another, with neither side gaining a clear advantage. Instead of calling themselves simply Kuhul Ahau, holy lord, the rulers of Mutul and Dzibanche each adopted the title of Kaloomte, or high king, with the lord of Mutul referring to himself as the High King of the West, proud of his Toltec lineage.
Dzibanche seized upon this, gathering up much support against those they called 'the foreign intruders', and they made alliances with many cities closer to Mutul itself, surrounding it slowly but surely. Eventually, Mutul set up a city to the south, meant basically as a glorified watch-post near two springs [3] that was given the same name as the capital, and the king's 4-year-old brother, Balaj Chan K’awiil, was set up as the leader of that city. Twenty years later, he realized what a vulnerable position he was in when Yuknoom Che'en II "the Great" of Dzibanche sacked his city and reinstated Balaj as a vassal of their dynasty. He served as a loyal ally of the Kan, even aiding in a defeat of Mutul that ended in the sacking of that great city. Rivers of blood flowed through the streets, and a mountain of skulls was stacked up. But Mutul rose again. Dzibanche's total victory was to be postponed. It was during this stalemate when the inner system of the Kan kingdom began to crack.
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That's all I got for now, expect updates as I get more organized. Any thoughts on what I got? Oh, and here are links to a nice looking (although clustered) map of Maya cities and a map of some trade routes. And just in case, here is another map, more detailed this time.
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Footnotes and name translations:
[1] OTL El Mirador, as previously stated it was the largest Mayan city ever, with the biggest monuments to boot. It fell for possibly the same reasons the later cities of the Classic era did.
[2] Maya euphemism for death, thought it'd be fun to add.
[3] This referring to Dos Pilas, a famous site that was very important in the Tikal/Calakmul wars. Easy read on its history at wikipedia.
Oxte'tun=El Mirador. The Maya name meant Birthplace of God's, while the Spanish means the lookout IIRC.
Mutul=Tikal. The old name meant, oddly, "hair bundle". Tikal only meant "at the waterhole", a name obviously given after it was abandoned.
Xuxpi=Copan. Meant "Corner bundle".
Oxhuitza=Caracol. Original name meant "place of three hills". Capital of the Kantu kingdom.
Pa' Chan=Yaxchilan.
Saal=Naranjo.
Lakam Ha=Palenque. Capital of the kingdom of B'aakal.
Kan=snake. Kan was the name of a dynasty that originated in El Mirador, moved its seat to Dzibanche, and then to (in OTL) Calakmul. Calakmul and Tikal were the superpowers of the Yucatan that were engaged in a prolonged conflict that brought about much destruction and was a major reason for the Collapse.
The POD, for those who are wondering, is actually so far back that those without a detailed knowledge of Mayan history may not know how it could help them in the 1500's. Admittedly, that might mean everyone but me 'cause I'm a dork, but ah well. In the Late Preclassic era, the site of El Mirador (the largest Maya city in history) is abandoned earlier and the Mayans apply the lessons from that city's fall earlier rather than repeat the same mistakes in the Classic era that resulted in the great Collapse that everyone talks about.
To be honest, due to the spottiness of Mayan history (much is still unconfirmed or uncertain, partially due to burning books, partially due to looters destroying everything to sell stuff on the black market, I've made up details not known officially and filled in some spots.
Oh, and apologies to Jared if he feels I am copying his title, I only felt it appropriate to name a Maya-TL after what they call their own land. And I must also thank this webpage, for the graphic calendar converter I shall make great use of. Why must I use it, you ask? Well why not?
Land of Turkey and Deer: How the Mayans survived the Great Lament
When the Spanish conquistadores landed on the shores of the New World, they asked the natives what they called their land. They responded, "Ci u than" or, "I don't understand what you're saying." The Spanish, over time, turned this into Yucatan, and so we called it too. The Maya also says his land is Yucatan in Spanish, but in his own tongue, it is Uluumil Cutz Yetel Ceh, the Land of Turkey and Deer.
The year 8.5.0.0.1, on the day of 13 Imix 14 Kankin (April 1, 140 AD), was a day of great sorrow for the people of Oxte'tun [1], it was the day the city had been officially declared dead. It was a most auspicious day to declare the death of the site and the moving of the dynasty to the northeast, to the city of Dzibanche. It was the end of a cycle, the cycle which Oxte'tun, "The God's Place of Birth", had been the seat of. Being the seat of a cycle meant great prestige, in addition to a sign of the strength and holiness of a city. But Oxte'tun had been falling apart for a while. The two great pyramid complexes largest in the known world, were not yet completed but construction had ceased long before as they were simply running out of resources. The soil had also been eroding and they were suffering famine. The death god stalked the corn, and many people had entered the water [2]. Of course it had all been prophesied be the Chilanes, soothsayers, but it still hurt the people to see their city come to this. So, when the rituals for the end of the seating of the cycle started, with the symbolic destruction of the city and its road, the people actually started following the ruling Kan dynasty uproad to Dzibanche.
To the south, as the Kan kingdom fell apart, their rival Kaminaljuyu, the great city of the south, was very much relieved. They had been weaker than their rivals, but the strength of the Kan had actually caused their own defeat. Now the only serious rivals of Kaminaljuyu were the highland Maya, who were very alien to them, and spoke unintelligibly. Aside from them, there were also the small cities to the east, around the Ulua rivers, chief of which was Xuxpi. The kingdom of Mutul, a minor power in Oxte'tun's time, was making great waves as it grew to new heights, making alliances to the east and west, especially with the kingdoms along the Usamacinta River.
Dzibanche also seemed predetermined for greatness. It was on a great trade network, very close to the sea and the port of Chetumal, and there was an abundance of resources nearby. They made much trade from the nearby honey orchards and cotton and cacao plantations. It was even further from the rising power of Mutul or Kaminaljuyu than were Calakmul or Oxte'tun. The Kan dynasty was keen on making Dzibanche more glorious and sacred even than Oxte'tun. They inaugurated the katun with the blood of the nobles from the south, their heads rolling down the steps of the rising pyramids to the sound of trumpets and drums. Much labor was made out of the defeated soldiers of the city of Oxhuitza and the Kantu kingdom, their backs bearing great quantities of limestone to build recreations of the great pyramids of Oxte'tun.
The growing power of Mutul had to be checked, however. Dominated a major crossroads, they were fabulously rich, at least as much as Dzibanche was, and about as large and populous too. Since the day 8.17.1.4.13, 12 Ben 16 Mac (14 January, 378 AD) Mutul had been ruled by a dynasty of Toltec lineage, set up on that date by one Siyah K'ak', a general of Atlatl Cauac, the king of the mighty Mexican city of Teotihuacan. Ever since he set his son up as the king of Mutul, they had started hegemonical empire by making allies or vassals out of Xuxpi, Lakam Ha, and numerous smaller cities. Dzibanche responded by setting up Oxhuitza as a vassal, along with Saal and Pa' Chan, chief city of the Usamacinta River with many vassals of its own. Very soon the two powers began proxy wars against one another, with neither side gaining a clear advantage. Instead of calling themselves simply Kuhul Ahau, holy lord, the rulers of Mutul and Dzibanche each adopted the title of Kaloomte, or high king, with the lord of Mutul referring to himself as the High King of the West, proud of his Toltec lineage.
Dzibanche seized upon this, gathering up much support against those they called 'the foreign intruders', and they made alliances with many cities closer to Mutul itself, surrounding it slowly but surely. Eventually, Mutul set up a city to the south, meant basically as a glorified watch-post near two springs [3] that was given the same name as the capital, and the king's 4-year-old brother, Balaj Chan K’awiil, was set up as the leader of that city. Twenty years later, he realized what a vulnerable position he was in when Yuknoom Che'en II "the Great" of Dzibanche sacked his city and reinstated Balaj as a vassal of their dynasty. He served as a loyal ally of the Kan, even aiding in a defeat of Mutul that ended in the sacking of that great city. Rivers of blood flowed through the streets, and a mountain of skulls was stacked up. But Mutul rose again. Dzibanche's total victory was to be postponed. It was during this stalemate when the inner system of the Kan kingdom began to crack.
----------
That's all I got for now, expect updates as I get more organized. Any thoughts on what I got? Oh, and here are links to a nice looking (although clustered) map of Maya cities and a map of some trade routes. And just in case, here is another map, more detailed this time.
-----------
Footnotes and name translations:
[1] OTL El Mirador, as previously stated it was the largest Mayan city ever, with the biggest monuments to boot. It fell for possibly the same reasons the later cities of the Classic era did.
[2] Maya euphemism for death, thought it'd be fun to add.
[3] This referring to Dos Pilas, a famous site that was very important in the Tikal/Calakmul wars. Easy read on its history at wikipedia.
Oxte'tun=El Mirador. The Maya name meant Birthplace of God's, while the Spanish means the lookout IIRC.
Mutul=Tikal. The old name meant, oddly, "hair bundle". Tikal only meant "at the waterhole", a name obviously given after it was abandoned.
Xuxpi=Copan. Meant "Corner bundle".
Oxhuitza=Caracol. Original name meant "place of three hills". Capital of the Kantu kingdom.
Pa' Chan=Yaxchilan.
Saal=Naranjo.
Lakam Ha=Palenque. Capital of the kingdom of B'aakal.
Kan=snake. Kan was the name of a dynasty that originated in El Mirador, moved its seat to Dzibanche, and then to (in OTL) Calakmul. Calakmul and Tikal were the superpowers of the Yucatan that were engaged in a prolonged conflict that brought about much destruction and was a major reason for the Collapse.
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Don't feel bad, actually the mistakes are quite minor (as I said): people who are native tend to screw up in a more spectacular manner than non-natives.