Mayan medicine : rituals and plant use by Mayan ah-men

Abstract

Mayan civilization is a great example of a culture that was able to live off of the land and thrive using the resources around them. This paper looks at ah-men healers in Classic Mayan societies. It examines the plants and rituals used when curing illnesses and how we can observe this in the archaeological record. Classic Mayan ideology is also looked at in regards to its connection to ah-men and medicine, looking at ah-men's position in society due to the knowledge that they possessed. This paper also examines modern Mayans today and the ancient healing techniques that they practice. With this information, looking at what seemed to work and not work for uring different illnesses in Classic Mayan societies, modern medicine may become more natural, using plants and other resources available to cure illnesses.