1. The Mayas
In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms:
Mayas
Farming Techniques of the Mayas
Religious beliefs of the Mayas
Class Hierarchy of the Mayas
Accomplishments of the Mayas
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2. The Mayas lived in southern Mexico and Guatemala.
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3. Cy- Ranch

4. The Mayas
From about 250 A.D., the Mayas built a civilization in present-day Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Mexico.
The Mayas developed an advanced civilization in Central America.
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5. Tikal was the most important Maya political center, 300 to 900 C.E.
Under difficult
Geographic circumstances,
the Mayas farmed
Successfully and built
beautiful cities.
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6. Agriculture The Mayas drained swamps to farm.
Two-thirds of the city inhabitants worked in fields during daytime
The Mayas erected platforms for farming in the rain forest.
Besides maize, they also cultivated cotton and cacao
The Mayas irrigated their fields of corn, beans, and other plants to produce agricultural surpluses.
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7. It was difficult land to farm on but Mayan
farming techniques produced agricultural
surpluses.
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8. Religion The Mayas were polytheists. They believed in many gods.
A large temple pyramid stood in the middle of every Mayan city.
Cities were religious centers.
Followed elaborate rituals
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9. Religious thought
Popol Vuh, a Maya creation myth, taught that gods created humans out of maize and water
Gods maintained agricultural cycles in exchange for honors and sacrifices
Bloodletting rituals honored gods for rains
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10. Maya Ball Game Sporting gambling
The ball game which originiated with the Olmec culture eventually became a system of sacrifice as the leader of the losing team was often sacrificed to the gods.
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11. The Mayas lived in city-states. The city-states never united. A large
temple pyramid stood in the
middle of each city. Chichen Itza,
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12. Trade The professional Mayan Merchants traded extensively.
Traders sold salt, honey, cotton, bird feathers, food, and slaves.
The Mayas profited greatly from trade.
Artisans were famous for their obsidian tools and orange pottery
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13. Trade
was
very
important
to the
Mayas.
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14. The Class Hierarchy
1. Rulers were the most powerful members of society
Kings, priests and hereditary nobility at the top
2. Warriors and priests.
Maya warfare: warriors had prestige; captives were slaves or victims
3. Artisans, merchants,
Merchants were from the ruling class
Professional architects and artisans were important
4. Peasants, and slaves
were the least powerful members of society
Majority of the population
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15. The Maya calendar had both solar and ritual years interwoven
The Mayas invented a calendar.
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16. Accomplishments
The Mayas invented a mathematical system based on the number 20.
The Mayas studied astronomy and built pyramids. Supported their religious practices
Maya writing was ideographic and syllabic
Written language is presereved in stone carvings
Only 4 books remain since Spanish priests burned many during the
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17. Mayan Glyphs Mayan Mathematics sky king house child city
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18. Questions for Reflection:
Who were the Mayas and where did they live?
Why is it surprising that the Mayas produced agricultural surpluses?
Why did the Mayas build pyramids?
What did the Mayas trade?
List several accomplishments of the Mayas.
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