Maya Pre-classic 1000 BC 250 AD C lassic 300 AD -1527 AD
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Even today, life in the tropical rain forest of Middle America
is an unending struggle for survival. So how was it that a
flourishing civilization was created there by a race of Stone Age
men? Without the wheel and with no metal the Mayas built great
cities, developed a brilliant artistic culture and evolved a system
of mathematics the equal of any in the world. Who were these
mysterious people whose classic civilization collapsed before
Columbus discovered America, but whose works still arouse the
wonder of modern man?
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Location Mesoamerica Mexico Central America
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Video Overview Life to the Max-Ancient Maya Maya creation Myth
Overview Life to the Max-Ancient Maya Maya creation Myth
Overview
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Maya Government Known as the Jaguar People The Maya were NOT
considered an empire - Its people were not united politically. Maya
civilization was made up of city-states. - Many important cities
(Chichen Itza, Tikal, Copan, and Palenque), but no single capital.
Each city-state had its own ruler and followed a caste system -
King, Nobles, Priests, Warriors, Craftworkers and Merchants,
farmers, then Slaves Large headdress for importance Kings passed
down their position to their sons Chichen Itza Uxmal
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Maya Class System
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Maya Economy The Maya did not use "money" in the modern sense.
Economy was based primarily on trade and agriculture. The Maya
participated in long distance trade with many of the Mesoamerican
cultures. Maya farmers transported their cocoa beans to market by
canoe or in large baskets strapped to their backs. Wealthy
merchants traveled further, employing porters, as there were no
horses, pack animals or wheeled carts in Central America at that
time. Jade Cacau Tree
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Maya Education The ancient Mayan education was taught
differently. They only taught education to higher people like
Priests, chiefs, leaders, and war leaders. Lower people still got
education from their family, friends, and generations. They taught
the younger ones what they ever learned throughout their lives.
Several values were stressed to Maya children. They not only
desired for a strong work ethic, but working for the betterment of
the community was necessary.
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Men Farmers: Used slash and burn techniques to grow maze (corn)
was the main staple of a Mayan diet. Other crops included beans,
squash, avocado pear, avocado, sweet potato, guava, chili peppers,
cocoa beans, vanilla beans, papaya and tomatoes. Hunters: Hunt for
deer, turkey, duck, armadillo, quail, monkey, and iguana. Would use
bow and arrows, spears, blowguns, darts, and snares. Fisherman
Women Wife: Took care of the home, cooked, did the washing, raised
the children. Weavers: Made the textiles that was used for clothing
and baskets. Maya Daily Life/Agriculture
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Maya Religion The Maya were polytheistic The Maya practiced
human sacrifice
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Mayan Religious Beliefs Polytheism = Belief in many Gods
Believed that Gods controlled everything Priests had great
influence because Mayans thought priests could talk to the Gods
Gods symbolized as animals: Rain God = snake, Sun God = Jaguar,
Death God= bat Food and animal sacrifices common; humans (such as
defeated tribes) sometimes
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Religion: The Ball Game Mayans inherited a ball game from the
Olmecs that was an important part of Mayan political and religious
festivals Mayans inherited a ball game from the Olmecs that was an
important part of Mayan political and religious festivals
High-ranking captives were forced to play the game for their very
lives The losers became sacrificial victims and faced torture and
execution immediately following the match Object of the game was to
propel an 8 inch ball of solid baked rubber through a ring or onto
a marker without using your hands
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Maya Accomplishments with an amazing level of accomplishments
The Mayas were the first Americans to develop a complete system of
writing with the use of pictured glyphs. Developed a system of
math, more advanced that any European system. Perhaps most notable
in the year 2012, the Maya created elaborate calendars. It is the
ancient Mayas that predicted the last day of our existence as being
December 21, 2012.
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Advances in learning The Maya created a set of numerals Also
developed a 365-day calendar
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Astronomy Masters of the Night Sky- known for their
observatories Masters of the Night Sky- known for their
observatories Accurately charted the planets by using a forked
stick Predicted eclipses of the sun
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Maya Architecture Chichen Itza (cool video!) Lost Pyramid The
Maya built towering temples and elaborate palaces. The Maya are
knows for large ball fields Most Mayans lived in hay huts. Some
lived in limestone buildings.
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Mayas Today Mayas live in Mexico and Central American Speak
Maya languages Observe some religious customs of their ancestors
combined with Christianity
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What happened to the Maya? The Maya abandoned many of their
cities around 900 C.E. Archaeologists dont know why the Maya
civilization declined. There are many questions.
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Possible Causes of Collapse of Classic Mayan Civilization Lack
of Resources (Water - Food - Materials) -Population (Too many
people to feed) -Revolution against the Government -Attack against
the kings -Peasant uprising - -Invasion (foreign - tribal)
-Location -Possible weather / climate concerns - Earthquakes,
hurricanes -Epidemics of disease -Calendar prophesies -They Mayans
believed they were headed for collapse because their calendar said
they were, therefore they thought they should move to new
centers
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Maya Video Clips Engineering and Empire (44 min) Engineering
and Empire Passage to the Maya Underworld
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References The Ancient Maya
http://www.digitalmeesh.com/maya/history.htm
Civilization.ca-Mystery of the Maya
http://www.civilization.ca/civil/maya/mmc01eng.html
http://www.civilization.ca/civil/maya/mmc01eng.html Ancient Mayan
Civilization
http://www.kidskonnect.com/AncientMayan/AncientMayanHome.html
http://www.kidskonnect.com/AncientMayan/AncientMayanHome.html
Traditions of the Sun
http://www.traditionsofthesun.org/ViewerYucatan/http://www.traditionsofthesun.org/ViewerYucatan/
Pyramid of El Castillo http://www.internet-
atwork.com/hos_mcgrane/chichen/chichen_castle.html#http://www.internet-
atwork.com/hos_mcgrane/chichen/chichen_castle.html#
