The Maya 1st Period

Basic Information The Mayan Civilization was in existence from 1800 BCE to 250 CE They were advanced for their time, doing things like: building architecturally advanced structures, creating accurate star charts, creating working economies, They were a polytheistic religion with many rituals and practices The Maya were also very violent in terms of politics, each city having its own dialect and system causing cities to war frequently over trade and dominance Remnants of the Jaguar Temple in the Mayan city of Tikal

The Pyramid of the Mayan Class system Class Systems Rigidly divided between nobles, commoners, serfs, and slaves. Commoners worked as farmers, laborers, and servants. Commoners became wealthy through merchant and artisan work Lived in outskirts Banned from wearing expensive clothes/symbols of nobility Active slave trade People became slaves as a form of punishment (debts) The Pyramid of the Mayan Class system

Class Systems Unwanted orphans became slaves Nobles Rulers, gov. officials, tax collectors, military leaders, high priests, cacao plantation managers, and trade expedition leaders. Mayan Ruler

Political Organization Trials were held for criminals Attorneys and judges were present Aristocracy Ruled by higher up nobles ie. priests and the wealthy Punishments Severe punishments Crimes tattooed on their face, or executed Jaina Island figurine representing a Classic period warrior

Technological, Artistic Innovations, and Contributions They created their own accurate calendar A 260 day religious calendar and a 365 day secular calendar in one The calendars have 52 year intervals, after a single interval the calendars reset like clocks Although vulcanization was thought to be discovered by Charles Goodyear in the 1800s, historians have evidence for this being a tool for the Maya through craftsmanship Their charts of the stars, and some of the math they used are still relevant in today’s society A lot of art was attributed to the gods and their prosperity The Mayan Calendar

Religion and Religious Developments Belief in k’uh (sacredness) There are 7 books and several texts on the story of creation The Earth was created by Huracán, but Earth and sky were connected, so no vegetation could grow Life was born out of a tree Plants and animals came first, then humans Three types of Mayan ppl; mud mindless, wood soulless, maize too wise Mayan god Huracán who created the Earth

Religion and Religious Developments Gods have several different personalities, combo of god and animal It was very rare for hostages to be sacrificed Bloodletting was used in the royal line to compensate for godly blood Would perform purification rituals for preparation; piercings Humans would be sacrificed for life-altering events Were decapitated, had their heart removed, or were thrown into a natural well (cenote) alive Children were placed in cenotes to talk to the gods Marriages were arranged at an early age Dance rituals were performed while wearing ornamental garb Mayan dance ritual being performed in Mexico

Crops similar to Mayan agriculture Economic Setup Based on agriculture and trade Slash-and-burn farming in some areas Intensively farming raised plots surrounded by canals Farmers brought surplus crops to the open-air markets of major cities very often Items were traded Also participated in long-distance trade throughout Mexico and Central America Transported by canoes on rivers and coastal waterways On land, transported by humans Crops similar to Mayan agriculture They did not know about wheeled vehicles or beasts of burden to carry the goods which is why humans carried the goods by foot.

Economic Setup Society was divided into commoners, craftsmen, and the nobility Commoners (low class) - only worked on agriculture Craftsmen (wealthy class) - produced more prestigious items : pottery, jewelry, sculptures, art Nobility (royal class) - overlooked commoners and craftsmen and decided how to utilize the goods Some goods were used locally and others were traded Cocoa = currency Mayan Pottery Cocoa Beans

Job Specialization Rulers: Held supreme power but could be overthrown Kept a large, powerful military Had to create religious temples to please the gods Provide enough food for the people → security Nobility: Allied with royalty and priests Members were chosen by the ruler to hold administrative positions in the government Make decisions in local towns Policemen/Leaders of military Mayan Temple

Mayan Written Language Job Specialization Priests: Closely allied with royalty and nobility Consulted by the ruler in most important matters Conduct religious rituals and overlook religious ceremonies Ensure that religion was the most important aspect of Mayan society Develop sciences Astronomy Mathematics Medicine Written language Teach knowledge to children of the nobility Mayan Written Language

Job Specialization Craftsmen: Produced various items Objects made with obsidian and jade Ceramics Sculptures Different types of art Overlooked by nobility Commoners: Very important to society, but looked down upon/not appreciated Provided food for whole society Farmers had to come up with innovative ways to keep their crops alive Mayan Art

Works Cited “Aztec and Maya Law.” Texas Law, Texas Law, 7 Aug. 2018, 9:58AM. Stuart, Gene S. Lost Kingdoms of the Maya. Washington, D.C., 1993. Gomez, Maria C. “Maya Religion.” “Mayan Economy.” Mayan Economy, Mayans and Tikal, Staff, History.com. “Mayan Scientific Achievements.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2010, Farah, Mounir, and Andrea Berens Karls.