The Mayans 1,000 BCE-900s CE

Mayan Civilization Begins Mesoamerica-central part of today’s Mexico and Northern part of Central America (present day Guatamala) Around 1,000 BCE Mayan crops: beans, squash, avocados and maize (corn)-most important crop Early houses: Made from vines, poles, mud Lived in isolated villages-then began trading with other villages

Mayan Classic Age 250 CE-900 CE 200 CE: Mayans began building large cities in Mesoamerica Maya territory grew into 40 large cities The city of Palenque-built by King Pacal Canals, large plazas and flat terraces-to grow food on mountain sides Stone courts-game call Pok Tok Temple of the Inscriptions tomb of Maya ruler Popol Vuh-written description of Mayan religion and gods

Pok Ta Pok Rules: Using only their shoulders, heads and hips, players tried to bounce a rubber ball through stone rings attached high on the court walls Winners: Received jewels, clothing a privileges Losers: beheaded or thrown into senotes

Life in the Mayan Civilization Mayan ruled by a monarch-king Mayan society in order of importance King had the highest power-thought to be related to the gods Mayan upper class-priests, rich merchants and noble warriors Mayan lower class (most people)-farming families Women-cared for children, cooked, made yarn and cloth Men-farmed, hunted made tools Must: Pay taxes with crops and goods, build temples and buildings, serve in the army

Religion and Cultural Achievements Mayans worshipped many gods, performed human sacrifices to please them Used prisoners captured in battle Cultural Achievements: Built observatories to study the sky

Writing System Developed 2 calendars 365 days based on farming, planting and harvesting 260 days used to keep track of religious events Skilled Mathematicians Among the first to use a symbol for zero Developed a writing system

Decline of Mayan Civilization When? Decline began around 900 CE and happened gradually over a long period of time. Why? Maybe . . . Lower class rebelled against the king Increased warfare between Mayan cities Could not produce enough food Climate change