The Mayan numeral system is a vigesimal (base-20) counting system used by the ancient Maya civilization. It consists of three symbols: a dot representing one unit, a bar representing five units, and a shell symbol representing zero. The numbers are arranged vertically, with the lowest values at the bottom and higher values stacked above. Mayan numerals were used for various purposes, including recording dates in the Mayan calendar and accounting for trade. This system allowed the Maya to perform complex calculations and keep track of time, showcasing their advanced understanding of mathematics and astronomy.