The Maya civilization was once magnificent but mysteriously vanished throughout the course of history. It spanned multiple regions in Central America, including Guatemala and Mexico. In 1502, Columbus encountered polite Maya merchants during his voyage, and in 1519, the Spaniards invaded, discovering a vast city made of stone. By the time the Spaniards occupied Mexico, the Maya were already in decline, existing only in the mountains and forests. In the 19th century, the Maya civilization regained the attention of scholars in Europe and America, with British researchers suggesting that it might have originated from the 'lost tribes' mentioned in the Old Testament. In 1849, explorers John Stephens and Frederick Catherwood uncovered more Maya ruins, including massive carvings, stone columns, altars, and pyramid-like structures. The Maya culture experienced a sudden decline around 830 AD, with its grand cities being overtaken by jungles, leaving behind countless unsolved mysteries.