1. The Mayan Civilization

2. Range and Name Maya is not the word for the people
Maya was the word used by the Spanish to describe the people
The Mayan Civilization ranged from Southern Mexico through Northern Honduras
The greatest concentration of people lie in Guatemala, the Yucatan, and Belize

3. Mayan History The Mayan culture is divided into three periods:
Preclassic – 600 BC – 250 AD
Classic – 250 AD – 900 AD
Post – Classic – 900 AD – 1600 AD

4. Preclassic Period Mayan migration from Yucatan to Guatemalan lowlands
Kukulcan, the founder of the Mayan kingdom moved into Guatemala
Period characterized by sedentary communities with simple construction

5. Classic Period
The Classic period (c. 250 CE–900 CE) witnessed the peak of large-scale construction and urbanism, the recording of monumental inscriptions, and a period of significant intellectual and artistic development, particularly in the southern lowland regions
Begun when “Fire is Born” brings the culture of Teotihuacán to the Maya
Period highlighted by massive city-states throughout the Mayan world fighting for control
Tikal, Calakmul, Palenque

6. Post Classic Period
After the decline of the Maya, the Post Classic period begins
Period is highlighted by a move of major urban centers from Peten, Guatemala (Tikal), Belize, and Southern Mexico to the Northern Yucatan Peninsula (Chichen Itza)

7. Pre-Classic Period Architecture

8. Classic Period Architecture

10. Social and Political Structure
The Mayan Empire was never one cohesive empire
Closest the Mayans ever came to a united empire was during the height of Tikal’s power
Rather a collection of various city-states that fought for control (Big city and its suburbs)
Some big cities allied themselves with huge cities hundreds of miles away
Allegiances were sealed with marriages
City-States were ruled by a Monarch (King or Queen)
Unlike some other cultures women could rule
Ruling power was hereditary (passed from father to son)
Under the King was the royal family
Royal family served as the priests
Then warriors, then businessmen, then farmers