Is it Possible to Define an Atom in Chemistry?

Is it Possible to Define an Atom in Chemistry?What is an atom? You may be asking this question to yourself, do you know what an atom is? An atom is a pure molecular unit that consists of several smaller molecules bound together. An atom is an entirely distinct entity from an element, which may be chemically bonded together with other atoms to form a compound.Now this might sound like it makes you a bit uneasy, especially if you think you're going to have to get used to living with atoms. But think about it this way, it's something that has been around forever and it will always be around. So long as there is life on the planet, there will be atoms, and they will always be there. They are things we can live without. The only thing keeping them from getting rid of us and all life on earth would be our power to choose to let them go.In physics, atoms were considered entities that were too large to be easily viewed and described using the scientific method. Only recently have scientists and physicists managed to determine how large these atoms are, and why they are so tiny. It is no longer considered a problem to define an atom because the size of atoms has been determined and the microscopic properties are now known. There is no reason why we cannot define an atom.The smallest solid known is water, which we normally think of when we hear the term 'atom'. Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen atoms, which are about one-millionth of a meter apart. There are many other atoms that exist, but each one of these is even smaller than this. But that's just the beginning.Science shows us that there are many other types of things in the universe that are much larger than most people believe. And these other things are truly strange and amazing. It's nature's ways. Science is a way of observing the real nature of things and understanding how they work, why they exist, and how they change. So if we want to define an atom in chemistry, we need to stop thinking in terms of 't he size of the molecule' and start seeing it in terms of the number of atoms present.New definitions of things are constantly being found and we can expect more changes in our everyday understanding of physics and chemistry. Hopefully with enough research, it won't be long before we can all live without needing to define an atom.

Moving Up Through the Ranks Becoming a Manager

Moving Up Through the Ranks Becoming a Manager image via www.gameskinny.com When getting a job, you are always going to start at the bottom and have to work your way up. Nothing comes for free and no one is just going to hand you a higher position, so if you want to move up you are going to have to put in a lot of time and effort. If becoming a manager is something that you wish to achieve, here are some tips and advice from managers and superiors about how they went from an employee to where they are now, and about what people are looking for when they wish to promote someone. image via blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com Education, education, education: A higher education shows that you are serious about your future and that you can handle the stress and expectations of a university. Rudolf Muller, director of Lindt and Sprungli, said that the importance of education “doesn’t end with your degreeyou have to stay abreast of new developments in your field of expertise as well as in Information Technology.” You have to be willing to adapt to new concepts in your field, which will happen frequently. Our world is a fast-paced place, and showing that you can keep up will definitely impress your superiors. Be a team player: This is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea, but being a team player is an essential part to moving up in the ranks. Mykhaylo Shumko, a fourth year astrophysics and math student at UC Santa Cruz and a manager at the Cowell Dining hall, said “of course you arent going to be friends with every person that you work with, but try and at least have a good relationship with everyone. image via www.alliedmills.com.au Being part of a team is inescapable, so try and make the best of it. You don’t have to agree with everyone, but make sure to try and listen to their opinions. In the end, it’s all about respect. Muller said that being a team player means that you have to “keep your cool in controversial discussions.” You can point out the things that you don’t agree with but you should never attack someone personally. Superiors are going to want to promote someone who can function well on a team and be a leader without belittling anyone. Want some tips about how to become a better team player? Here is an article  by Dorie Clark in Forbes that will give you five tips on how to do so. image via blogs.incpas.org Know what you are doing: Greg Banks, President of Banks Integration Group, said what makes a good manager is “someone who will be able to get the job done efficiently and doesn’t have to be checked up on.” Your superiors are going to want to be able to rely on you, so you really need to show them that you know your stuff. Even when you get promoted and are more of an overseer, it is still good to know how all of the jobs work. Shumko said you need to know the ins and outs of the job, because as a manager there are times when you will have to “get down and dirty with the little details” and you are going to need to know what you are doing. This being said, you don’t have to know absolutely everything and it is okay to ask for help. You just have to make sure you ask the right people. Peter Gottschlich, founder and CEO of Automation GT, said that “the people that really want to manage enrich themselves by learning from others, such as coaches, other seasoned managers, or by training.” Everyone has to learn somewhere, and showing initiative by wanting to learn will definitely earn you some brownie points. The best way to learn is by observing and then doing. If you get a head start and befriend your managers, you can watch how they go about doing things and have a reference point if you are promoted. image via progressalways.wordpress.com Go above and beyond: If you want to get promoted, you are going to have to put in more effort than is asked of you. Shumko said that going the extra mile is actually how he got hired. Try and do something that will make you stand outif your superiors see this they will definitely take note of it and give you a good reference.” You need to show your manager that your job is important to you and you are committed to your company. A lot of people take the route of doing the bare minimum in order to skate by, so if you prove yourself and stand out, you will definitely have a good shot of advancing to a higher position. Amer El-Arid, second year kinesiology student at De Anza Community College and manager at GNC, said you need to be more than just a hard worker. “You need to show potential and passion for the job; you need to love what you do in order to move up,”he said. Managers will see this passion in your work and will appreciate your effort. Going above and beyond is the key to getting yourself noticed. image via seekersportal.wordpress.com Be ready to make sacrifices: Rising up in the ranks means that you are going to bear the weight of more responsibility. Gilbert Fluetsch, COO at Hoplon Financial Group, said that “job management can really put stress on relationships.” Taking on more responsibility means that you have less personal time to spare, and since you can’t be in two places at once, you will have to be prepared to miss out on some things. Fluetsch also mentioned that you have to be willing to “put in long hours.” The extra work doesn’t magically stop when you are able to land the job; you will have to show your managers that they made the right decision by promoting you, and make sure that you keep up the qualities that got you the promotion in the first place. Banks said that he looks for “people to take responsibility for their tasks and deliver them without being asked.” Accomplishing all of the things that are required of you will not always be easy, but the extra effort will prove that you have what it takes. Proficiency in multiple languages: Knowing more than one language will make you stand out to your superiors, because our world is a global economy, and knowing other languages can help your business. image via blog.lib.umn.edu Muller said to “become proficient in as many foreign languages as possible.” The earlier you start learning, the easier it will be for you to pick up on a new language. It isn’t going to be a walk in the park, but if you are willing to put in the time, you will see the results. According to this CNN article by Annalyn Kurtz, knowing a second language is a very sought-after job skill that many people lack. If you can set yourself apart by knowing another language, you are already one step closer to getting that promotion. If you want more tips on what superiors are looking for, Banks said he uses the book People and Performance, by Peter F. Drucker, as a guideline for what he expects out of his managers. Good luck! Run your own business, get control of your future, make an impact on your life. To learn more about College Pro, click here or call 1-888-277-7962.

Six More Principles of Homework

Six More Principles of Homework Six more principles of homework are a succession to my Three Principles of Homework article. This article has been a huge success. Especially parents of elementary-school aged children found these three homework tips quite useful. They appreciated the concise and powerful advise. To summarize this article, here are these three principles again: 1. You cannot force your child, he must want to do it. 2. Your child probably does not like to do homework. 3. Your childs brain must engage. These three principles lay out a part of the theoretical foundation of doing homework. In this article we discuss six practical and workable principles which complement the first three. Principle 4: Establish a Work Routine. Work on homework at the same time every day. Whether it is right after your child returns home from school or after she had a break playing or texting with her friends. The important point is consistency of your routine. Most certainly let your child have a say on when this study time takes places. He or she can choose to study before or after dinner, or even to wake up early in the morning. Let her also know once the time is set we will stick to that schedule. Children thrive on structure even if they protest at first. It takes about 30 days for the routine to become a habit. Be persistent. When you study with your child on a regular basis you demonstrate the value of education to her. Remind your child about five minutes before the study time is approaching that it is time to start. Bring your childs current activity to an end. Clear the study table and prepare the books, supplies. Now it is time to begin. Principle 5: Offer Support for Hard Problems While it is crucial for your child to be doing the home work himself, there will come a time when he is stuck on a problem. If she says mommy, I cant do this. you respond act as if you can. Let your child visualize solving the homework task. Then she will give it another try and hopefully succeed the second time. If she still cant cope with the problem, offer help by asking rather than on telling. These are examples of questions to ask: What parts do you understand? Can you give me an example? How can you find out? On the other hand, if you child is on her way to succeeding with the task leave the immediate area. If she completes the homework item she just scored a huge success: a growth experience, success while facing adversities. Principle 6: Love and Praise are Worth More than Money Often, parents reward her students with ice cream, a new toy or money. While kids certainly do respond to incentives, this type of reward is more like bribery, thus has only short term gains. Yet, your child does not develop the joy of learning from material incentives. A better reward system is your attention, love and praise. Make verbal comments that focus on describing a specific thing done well. For example: You followed the directions exactly and finished in 10 minutes. I notice you stayed up late last night working on your term paper. I know it wasnt easy, but your efforts got it done. All your letters are right between the lines. Ill bet your teacher will like your writing. Principle 7: Establish a Positive Environment Noise from the street, neighbors or somebody talking on the phone are a real distraction from the study. Make sure the TV is off, the windows are closed (unless no noise comes from the outside). Put otherwise important tools outside of reach or even better out of sight from your student. Or else he will be reminded how nice playing games would be right now or whether he already got a text message from his best friend. Have all text books, supplies or tools ready on the table. If you have to look for it while solving a problem it can break your childs concentration. Make the environment beautiful such as having plants or flowers near by the desk. Or put your favorite mantra symbol on the counter, perhaps a statue of Buddha or your sons favorite comic book character. Principle 8: Be a Role Model While your student is working on the home work get some of your own responsibilities handled. Do the dishes, fold laundry, or write thank you notes. Perhaps you have started to learn Spanish or to began to learn another computer application? This is the time for you to study also. Just make sure youre not working on the hardest computer app. Tackle an easy task so that you can interrupt yourself to check about the progress of your student. By doing so you create an atmosphere of industry and shared dedication to ones own work. Principle 9:  Hire a Tutor Another important consideration is the whether you should hire a tutor or not.  Good reasons are: The concept of the homework exceeds your knowledge level You and your child had a big fight. Tutors are  trained in the art of homework. Your tutor typically arrives in regular intervals.  This makes principle 4 easier. You can choose your own tutor from the list of reliable and pier-reviewed tutors:  https://www.tutorz.com/find-me-a-tutor.

20 Tips For New Tutors (Part II) - TutorNerds

20 Tips For New Tutors (Part II) - TutorNerds Twenty Tips For New Tutors (Part II) Twenty Tips For New Tutors (Part II) Use Official Practice Material When Possible Barron’s and Peterson’s and Kaplan and many, many more third-party companies supply their own study materials for standardized tests and common class subjects.   You might find some of these materials to have an exceptional quality that is very helpful for your situation.   Unfortunately, this is not often the case.   There is a lot of money for these groups that sell new additions of all of their preparation products each year to desperate students, and I’ve found many cases of even the more popular names utilizing unethical practices in their material (such making diagnostic tests too hard to make you think you need more help, teaching too much material to pad extra pages or note cards, and purposefully grading material too harshly to guarantee that real test scores are an improvement).   Do yourself a favor and avoid the risk by finding any official study material that is from the same company that makes the test you are preparing for book your private Costa Mesa tutor from TutorNerds. Teach with Variety and Find What Works You are likely aware that many people lean more dominantly towards a typical type of learning style.   The most commonly heard types are “visual learnings,” “auditory learners,” and “physical learners.”   These reference students who do best by seeing something done, hearing it explained and doing it themselves, respectively.   In practice, I find that students don’t often fall into such simple, cookie-cutter categories, but it is important to vary your style and use a variety of methods until you find what works best for each student.   Don’t be afraid to use new tactics like drawing pictures, having students re-teach examples back to you, or creating fun mnemonics to help them learn. Go Back and Check Old Material I find reviewing previous lessons to be essential for any subject that will have a cumulative test, or that will lead to sequential classes.   This means that I will keep track of what we are learning each week, and I will periodically quiz them with a few questions from everything we’ve learned so far.   This will help make sure they retain the important information (it is easier to learn it and do some practice to maintain the knowledge rather than learning, forgetting, then relearning), and it will get them used to take impromptu cumulative assignments that cover a variety of topics. If You Know What’s Important, Focus on It If you are teaching math to an 8th grader getting ready for high school, you have the distinct advantage of knowing exactly what that 8th grader will ultimately learn in high school math classes.   This means you also know what material won’t be important for high school.   Use this knowledge to review and expand their knowledge in the areas that will help them the most in the future.   Don’t jeopardize their success in their current class because you are teaching them things for the future, but you should emphasize the important topics whenever possible.   I also find that students tend to focus more when I tell them which things will be important for next year. Get Them Ahead When Possible Similar to the previous point, you should be using any extra time to get your student ahead in their studies.   Students consistently come back to me pleased when they go over something in class that we had already practiced and got a head start on.   This is because they will likely do well on the topic in class, thus boosting their confidence and helping them feel smarter in school because they are better at the topic.   Getting a student ahead has many benefits, but I’ve found the most important are the benefits to their confidence and their overall enjoyment of the subject; everyone likes to be good at something and better than their peers. Read part one here. Book your experienced Costa Mesa tutor today! Michael C. is currently a private math, science, and standardized test tutor with TutorNerds in Irvine and Anaheim. All blog entries, except for guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Maple Bear Canadian Schools, Zhengzhou, China

Maple Bear Canadian Schools, Zhengzhou, China Maple Bear Canadian Schools, Zhengzhou, China The Maple Bear program is owned by MapleBear Global Schools Ltd. and the program is based on current Canadian education practices. The program is aimed at offering high quality education to children worldwide. MapleBear Global Schools Ltd. owns over 200 schools in 11 countries including MapleBear schools in Zhengzhou, China and is still growing. For more information, please visit: www.maplebear.ca MapleBear Zhengzhou has been in operation since August 2009, and it currently offers full-time pre-school, part-time pre-school and part-time elementary programs. Philosophy: Educate the whole child with child-centered approach; Implement Canadian immersion style of English and Chinese education; Children learn best through experimenting and exploring. Mission Statement :Prepare the children to be lifelong learners in a safe, secure and stimulating environment while providing Canadian based ECE education that mixes the best of both Chinese and Western education practices. MapleBear Zhengzho u is like a big family composed of staff, children and their families across multiple schools around the city. We strive together to create a warm welcoming atmosphere for our children, their families and staff. We feel strongly that it is both our professional duty and moral responsibility to ensure our school is a nurturing and caring educational environment for our children which we work together to create. Presently MapleBear Zhengzhou has six schools in operation. And we are also looking forward to opening an elementary school next year. We welcome dedicated teachers joining on our team!

How Can a Public School Offering Free Tutoring Help Students Enroll For Classes?

How Can a Public School Offering Free Tutoring Help Students Enroll For Classes?Free tutoring in Oklahoma is available for middle school students. Though this practice is relatively new, it does not mean that the schools and teachers do not have the resources to offer tutoring services to students.Students enrolling for middle school classes may be a little nervous about this because their classmates may have already learned most of the concepts taught in the class. But a variety of techniques can be used to make sure that students are prepared before they take the final test. Some of these techniques include the use of written assignments, face-to-face tutoring, class presentations, tests, and timed tests.Students who may be attending high school may benefit from some tutoring as well. There are courses available for students who have not gone to a traditional middle school or high school. A student will need to check with the schools or departments in which they will be attending t o see if a tutoring program is available.In Oklahoma, classes for middle school students are offered through local school districts. The schools provide the courses, but the teachers also need to make sure that students are well-prepared. They can offer a variety of activities, including teacher-student conferences and quiz competitions to encourage study habits.Middle school students are supposed to graduate from high school before they go off to college. A university can make this easier for them by offering support services such as financial aid and advising. This is the first step to getting a college education, so it would be beneficial for the student to know what is involved when applying for a scholarship.Students will also need to decide which college they want to attend and if they are interested in taking additional courses after they get their diploma. Several programs exist to help students choose the right college for them. One such program includes getting college adv ice from professional tutors.Online lawton ok tutoring is available for many different types of courses and can be helpful to students. However, all programs have to meet certain standards, and some of them may not be suitable for all students.

Math Help For Algebra - Adds These Tips to Your Math Classwork

Math Help For Algebra - Adds These Tips to Your Math ClassworkIf you are looking for ways to increase your math skills, then you will want to find math help for algebra. Math help for algebra is going to be your best friend if you ever have to try to do any kind of advanced math in school or in college.Math help for algebra is one of the best ways to help you learn the skills necessary to perform math calculations. You do not need to be at a great degree of proficiency to perform math calculations. It will be enough that you will be able to accomplish the basics so that you can move on to more advanced and challenging topics.Some people who are just beginning to learn math do not have a lot of time to devote to the subject. The fact is that they will be able to excel and learn at the same time if they have some math help for algebra. They are going to be able to do much better in their math classes if they know the basics.There are many teachers out there who are going to assume that all of their students are at the current level of knowledge in math. If you have a teacher who is not giving you the tools that you need to succeed, then you need to find some math help for algebra that will help you get the knowledge that you need to compete in your math classes.Most students who are struggling in their math classes will have used mathematics to solve problems in the past. They may have used formulas, graphs, and images to aid them in their math courses.If you want to maximize your potential, then you will want to use mathematics to your advantage. You will want to develop the kinds of skills that you cannot teach or understand in school.Math help for algebra is one of the best ways to use mathematics to your advantage. You will be able to make your math courses more challenging and effective for you if you take some time to learn how to use math to your advantage.

Tips for Navigating Difficult Office Politics - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Tips for Navigating Difficult Office Politics - Introvert Whisperer Tips for Navigating Difficult Office Politics The term “office politics” often conjures images of saber-rattling co-workers talking themselves up, gunning for a promotion, or claiming a project all for themselves. Nothing could be further from the behavior of an introvert. However, it’s certainly possible for those who are less socially outgoing to successfully engage in difficult office politics. Here are a few ways that introverts can use their natural inclinations and abilities in order to navigate the often dangerous waters of workplace politics. Remember Your Strengths Introverts are typically calm and collected. While they may not possess great leadership skills, their strengths lie in areas like genuine productivity and detail-oriented focus. Introverts can begin and end a project correctly, demonstrating incredible consistency throughout the process. They also are extremely good at actively listening to others, thinking things through, and being aware of those around them. Don’t accept the notion that this state of affairs leave you at a disadvantage. Instead, boldly wield your strengths to your advantage, especially whenever you find yourself faced with a situation that involves difficult office politics. Continue to refine your interpersonal skills, as they will be an invaluable asset at your job. Doing so can also affect your future prospects, if you know how to highlight your interpersonal strengths when applying for work. Take the time to think things through in a calm and collected manner. Make sure to pick your battles. Look for win-win scenarios that lead to genuinely productive results for everyone involved. Remember that consistency is one of the great undervalued traits of incredible leadership. In other words, don’t try to copy the boisterous, off-the-cuff style of others; instead, lean on your own natural strengths. Rely on Relationships While extroverts may single-handedly take advantage of opportunities when they arise, introverts often must take a more measured, strategic approach to advancement in the workplace. Yes, at some point, you may have to go up against that annoyingly ambitious, blustery colleague for an assignment or promotion. However, it’s always smart for a self-aware introvert to set the stage beforehand through building meaningful, strategic office relationships. In other words, make sure to lean on the strength of select individual relationships within the office in order to create a base of allies that can support you and even stand up for you from time to time. Convey Your Communication Needs If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you already know that you’re an introvert. If that’s the case, don’t be afraid to let others in on the information, especially bosses. Introverts usually need a fairly quiet space in which to operate. If you’re meeting with a boss or co-worker in a situation that involves office politics, ask if the meeting can be held in a quieter space so you can focus. Grab a spare office or unused conference room. Don’t be afraid to speak up in little ways like these in order to set the stage for your own success. Networking While building a select group of strong relationships is important, general networking is also a critical part of office politics. While this may often be done in group settings, an introvert can accomplish quality networking by simply by taking the time to engage with superiors, co-workers, and employees one on one. Take them out for coffee, invite them to lunch, and look for opportunities that can open up a chance for you to network. This allows you to build relationships and let those you work with learn about you, your background, and your accomplishments. This is naturally much easier to do on your terms in a controlled scenario. However, it’s also important to make sure that you know where to draw the line with one-on-one relationships. While you want to succeed in genuine bridge building, you also want to ensure that your professional interactions remain firmly within reasonable, ethical bounds. Particularly when it comes to more withdrawn individuals, if a co-worker begins to show signs of crossing the line into sexual harassment or assault, make sure to take steps to report it immediately. “Bragging” There are few things more intimidating to an introvert than the idea of needing to talk themselves up. The call to self-promotion is hardly one that comes naturally. Regardless, it is absolutely required when you’re trying to prove that you’re worthy of being heard. Once again, while it’s important to practice talking about yourself in a positive light, there are multiple ways to lean on your own strengths in order to set yourself up in the best way possible on your terms. For instance, begin internally by taking the time to get comfortable with talking about your accomplishments. Set up mental reminders that these are simple facts and figures. Your performance speaks for itself, whether you talk about it or not. Therefore, you can treat discussing your accomplishments as a matter of fact. It’s little more than a natural conversation piece, so to speak. Rather than seeing it as an attempt to deceive others into liking you more, look at it as a simple communication of who you are to those who don’t fully know you. In addition, take the time to keep detailed records of your accomplishments and report to your superiors regularly, not just during performance reviews. This gives you a chance to genuinely explain what you’ve accomplished without being under the gun to “promote yourself” in a high-pressure scenario. In fact, this can often even be done with the written word via email or social media. Quietly Dominating the Office Hopefully, at this point, you’re aware of the different tools and abilities that introverts have at their disposal as they navigate through the turbulent waters of their office’s political arena. Rather than giving in to the temptation to simply mirror the extrovert-friendly tactics that typically win the day, look for opportunities to use your own quiet strengths in order to be heard. Whether it’s through individual networking, gently highlighting your accomplishments on a regular basis, or finding ways to accentuate your natural abilities, there are plenty of ways to quietly dominate your own office politics and work your way up the corporate ladder in the process. By Sam Bowman Sam  Bowman  is a freelance writer and introvert who enjoys getting to utilize the internet for the community without actually having to leave his house. In his spare time, he likes running, reading, and combining the two in a run to his local bookstore. Go to top Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!   Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

The Mayans

The Mayans Taking a Look at the Long History of the Maya People ChaptersThe Mayan TimelineGeography of the Maya TerritoryMayan PoliticsThe Mayan Social StructureMayan Religious and Spiritual BeliefsAncient Maya AcademicsMayan CalendarsThe Mayan CivilisationDo you remember the Mayan calendar freakout of 2012?December 20th, 2012 was the date that the Mayans presumably predicted the world would end.In stores around the globe, survival supplies were snapped up. Building contractors specialising in underground shelters were triple-booked; they couldn’t work fast enough to meet demand.Everywhere, people alternated between hosting extravagant parties and hunkering down in fear.And then, at the stroke of midnight on that day... the Mayan calendar regenerated and lots of people felt just a little foolish at having stockpiled emergency candles and tinned food.This incident is a testament to the power, impact and genius of the Mayan civilisation, even centuries after its waning.They were a people both religious and superstitious, human characteristics see mingly at odds with their scientific nature.Equally at odds were their artistic abilities and their brutality â€" not just ritual sacrifices but in everyday matters, such as torturing and beheading their losing ball team.Yes, the Mayans loved to play ball, just like we do!Let us now take a trip to Mesoamerica, where the Mayan civilisation flourished for so long. We’ll find out what life was like in those times, what marvels they achieved and what happened to them. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistor y Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Mayan Timeline Beware of playing ball with ancient Mayans; you may end up losing your head! Image by ecalbz2005 from PixabayAlthough the region occupied by the Mayans shows evidence of having been inhabited some 8,000 years ago, the time frame of Mayan civilisation is contested to this day.Nevertheless, the eras of a few major events are generally agreed upon.Most archaeologists put the start of Mayan civilization around 1,800BC, when actual settlements arose and the people started cultivating maize, beans, squash and chilli peppers â€" ingredients that remain staples of their diet still today.One of the most impactful events in the Mayan timeline happened in the 9th Century AD: a political collapse led to a migration away from the southern lowlands, leaving their cities and fields behind.Nobody is sure what brought on that migration or the sudden change in political winds.A combination of factors such as drought and overpopulation â€" which led to environmental degradation, coupled with civil war is universally accepted as likely factors.By the start of the 16th Century, there were hardly any Mayan warriors left to fight against the Spanish; in 1697, Spanish conquistadors attacked and took the last independent Mayan city.The longevity of the Mayan civilisation â€" in spite of her collapse in the 2nd Century she kept on going, has caused scholars to categorise date progression into 5 discrete eras:Archaic: from 8,000 to 2,000 BCPreclassic: from 2,000 BC to 250 ADClassic: 250 to 950 ADPostclassic: 950 to 1539 ADContact Period, the times of Spanish activity: 1511 to 1697Within those divisions, there are further distinctions: early, late and terminal. We also note that the date ranges may fluctuate by up to a century as there is no definite way of assigning dates to specific events.Discover amazing facts of the aboriginal Australian timeline.Geography of the Maya TerritoryThe Mayan civilization developed within the Mesoamerican culture area which extended from the northern end o f today’s Mexico into Central America.In their heyday, the Mayans occupied the entire Yucatan Peninsula as well as southeastern Mexico and northern South America â€" the region we know today as Belize and Guatemala, as well as western Honduras and El Salvador.The Mayans enjoyed a generous coastline. Inland, their terrain was generally flat with few hills, except for what was known as the Mayan Highlands, the mountain range that extends into Guatemala.In all, they had plenty of arable land and water was not necessarily difficult to come by... at least, if the population had not boomed. The Mayans generally lived on flat terrain with abundant water Image by MarkgCap from PixabayMayan PoliticsAlthough the region was vast and well-populated and all Mayans shared a common worldview and ideology, they were never consolidated into a single empire.Mayans lived in nation-states, each governed by their own political hierarchies. These states were connected by trade relations, diplomatic alliances and tribute obligations.Tribute obligations: more powerful states would exact payment from weaker neighbours, generally as a gesture of submission. Such a tribute could be in the form of currency or goods.Initially, Mayans were governed by tribal chiefs but, by the Classic period, leadership had become more centralised and much more powerful.Leaders justified their position through lineage or by divine right; political connections with other leaders also helped enforce a leader’s tenure.The Mayan culture enforced loyalty and obedience to rulers; they felt it was absolutely necess ary to maintain social harmony.Those who chafed under leadership were harshly punished.  By the Classic Period, human sacrifice had become a well-established tool for social control. Political and religious leaders had no issue with performing ritual sacrifice as a way of demonstrating their power.Are you familiar with the burial customs in ancient Greece?Besides ancestor worship, Mayans had more than 200 gods. The most important ones were of creation, fertility, rain and thunder, and death.As in society, so in the pantheon of gods: there was a hierarchy, with some gods being more powerful and revered than others.Some gods existed to be disliked, mocked and tricked.Throughout the vast Mayan territory, most everyone revered the same gods but some polities had gods specific to their region or concerns.It is difficult to assess exactly how many gods populated their belief system because the same god may have a different name in another region or may have several names within the same r egion.One remarkable facet of Mayan gods is their potential for ruthlessness and cruelty.For instance, Zipacna, a god instrumental in creating the earth, killed 400 boys in a single, cleverly-engineered move. The Tikal pyramids in Guatemala were more ceremonial in nature Image by Albert Dezetter from PixabayAncient Maya AcademicsFor a people obsessed with bloodshed and warfare, ancient Mayans were surprisingly academic, making significant advances in a variety of fields.TechnologyShould you be in doubt about Mayan technological know-how, you only need to look at their leftover structures and city ruins. Their symmetrical layout and precise lines indicate that they knew a bit about land surveying and measurement.What is even more remarkable is that they cut stone and transported it without any metal tools or any wheels.Another amazing advance was their use of glittery paint to adorn their buildings and to create art.  Mixing standards colours with mica, a mineral abundantly available in the area, they decorated everything from their walls to themselves.Do you think of ancient Mayans when you wear your wellies?Researchers have discovered that the Mayans perfected the process of combining ra w rubber with other materials to make it more durable â€" a process called vulcanisation, some 3,000 years ago.Among the products they fashioned out of vulcanised rubber were water-resistant bags and clothing, binding for their books and balls to play pok-a-tok with.Remember, earlier in this article we said that the losing ball team would be beheaded?AstronomyThe Maya civilization was agrarian, meaning it depended on natural elements â€" rainfall and auspicious planting times for the bulk of their food production.Furthermore, they believed in cosmological influence; the pull and power of the heavens on everyday affairs.  To derive the most benefit possible, they set out to understand the power of the stars and planets.Through their study, they gleaned an advanced understanding of astrological cycles and how they could help plan harvesting and planting schedules.Unlike the sun and moon, stars had no special divine meaning; however, they were significant for agricultural planning beca use their changes indicated a change of seasons.Venus was another important celestial body.  Ancient Mayans associated Venus with war so battles were planned and fought according to Venus’ movements.If that planet was not in the right position to guarantee favour from the gods, sacrificing war prisoners would be delayed until such a time that the gods would be likely to smile.Mayan knowledge of astronomy even influenced their architecture; perhaps the most famous example of such is the positioning of the pyramid at Chichen Itza.Upon the spring and autumn equinoxes, the waning sun’s light casts a shadow onto a climbing wall which forms the staircase to the top of the pyramid.Projecting the undulating shape of the edge of the structure, the shadow appears to meld with the carved snake head that adorns the base of the stairs, making it appear as though a giant snake were slithering down the side of the pyramid itself.Such a degree of precision is astounding, especially considering that the ancient Mayan had virtually no tools or instruments with which to measure.Even more jaw-dropping: this entire structure is a calendar!Mayan CalendarsWhereas we have two calendars by which to track our days, Julian and Gregorian â€" and we don’t much use Julian dates anymore, the Mayan had several and used them all.Their shortest cycle calendar was called Tzolkin; a 260-day count. It was used to determine when agricultural activity should take place and to plan religious ceremonies.  It also represents roughly the duration of a human pregnancy.The Haab calendar is 365 days long, like ours, but is broken down into 18 months of 20 days each.If you’ve done the math, you know that 18x20 is only 360. The last 5 days were considered so unlucky, they were given their own name: Wayeb.  During that time, Maya people stayed home and avoided most activities, lest disaster befall them.The long-count calendar was used to count all of the days since the beginning of time. This calenda r is both cyclical and linear, meaning that one can consult it to look forward and back in time, and that it regenerates.At its base is the 360-day Haab year minus the 5-day Wayeb period and, to explain it properly, we have to understand Mayan mathematics.MathematicsUnlike the Mesopotamian civilisation numbering system which was based on a value of 60, Mayan numeracy was base 20 or vigesimal.They devised a counting system using only 3 symbols and, most critically, they implemented the use of zero as a place holder.In Mayan numeracy, a dot represented a single unit, dashes had a value of 5 and, usually, a clamshell depicted zero.In the same way we teach our young students how to add by arranging the values vertically and to first add the ones, then the tens and so on, the Mayans used the same structure â€" except for their groupings were by 20, not 10.Using sticks, pebbles and perhaps a bone fragment to signify zero, everyone could use maths in everyday transactions.Now that we under stand that their counting system was based on 20, we see that their long-count calendar was simply the Haab calendar times 204.360 x 204 = 57,600,000 â€" which is exactly the number of days that elapsed by December 21st, 2012, after which the calendar restarted!Did the Inca also have a sophisticated system for counting? After centuries of exposure to the elements, Mayan glyphs are a little hard to read Image by Albert Dezetter from PixabayWritingThe Mayan writing system includes more than 800 symbols. Some are logosyllabic, meaning that a single drawing represents an entire word â€" a lot like Japanese or Chinese writing.Other Mayan script involves writing words out syllable by syllable. About 300 Mayan glyphs are considered syllabic.This writing system was the most developed in pre-Columbian America but, for as developed as it was, only the nobles were permitted to learn it.That means that the workers who chiselled hieroglyphics onto walls, sculptures and pottery had no idea what they were writing!On the other hand, scribes, religious and military leaders used their writing skills to draft many of their accounts on tree bark, which they then bound in animal hides.These books described life in the Maya culture, military action, politics and social events such as ball games and festivals.When the Spa niards invaded, they interpreted these books as pagan and evil. They burned the heap of them... but, fortunately, four have survived.The Mayan CivilisationIncomprehensibly brutal yet devoutly religious, firmly grounded in science but awash with superstition: the complexity of the Maya culture enthrals still today.Unlike other ancient civilisations, the Maya have left such a long history; a past littered with so much yet to be discovered and understood.Why did Mayan noblewomen file their teeth down to points? Why was being cross-eyed a mark of distinction?Why, when there was so much knowledge to be shared, was a substantial portion of the population denied education?There were no schools, as such, to teach people how to read, write and do maths. Withholding education was a way to maintain the class structure; to ensure the Mayan way would continue forever.Although there are still Mayans inhabiting the Yucatan peninsula and scattered throughout the region, their way of life is, for th e most part, gone for good.Done are the bloody wars and the brutal sacrifices; finished are the egocentric kings and the malicious nobles.Echoes of their gods are still there, though.If you happen to find yourself in the northern part of the Yucatan peninsula, sometime around the 20th of September, you may just catch the shadow of a Mayan feathered snake slithering down from the heavens.Now discover the similarities between Mayan and Aztec cultures...