1. The Maya

2. Where?
Mesoamerica: the area between North & South America

3. Compass
Mayans believed gods associated with different colors represented the cardinal directions
North
East
West
Center
South

4. Mayan History
By 250 CE, the Mayan Civilization was flourishing as a group of independent city-states connected through trade & shared culture

5. Sometime in the 700’s…
The various Mayan city-states began fighting one another, causing many to flee the cities

6. The late 800’s Mayan cities were mysteriously abandoned
Possible reasons: continued warfare, drought, plague, famine

7. 1500’s The Spanish Conquistadores arrived in 1524
Over the next 170 years what was left of the Mayan city-states were conquered by the Spanish.

8. Mayan Writing Most advanced writing system in the ancient Americas
Glyphs hieroglyphic symbols
Codex: books
Popol Vuh: Mayan creation story featuring ancient ballgame

9. Mayan ballgame

10. All was empty. , all was in silence. , all was motionless
All was empty..., all was in silence..., all was motionless...there was only the sky and the sea".
In the sea, surrounded with light, hidden under green feathers, was
Gucumatz. In the sky was "the Heart of Heaven, or God- as he is called."
All was in suspense
Then came the word, like a lightning bolt it ripped through the sky,
penetrated the waters, and fertilized the minds of the Earth-Water Deities, Tepeu and Gucumatz
Then the creator couple said "let it be done", and it was done: The
earth emerged from the sea; plants put forth shoots; wild animals came to be.
And then the Gods made three frustrated attempts to create humankind; first out of animals,
then out of mud, and finally out of wood. The Wood men were killed off too,
however, and their descendants are today's monkeys

11. Mayan religion
Religion was the center of Mayan life and it led to many advances in their civilization.

12. Mayan mathematics Very advanced Concept of zero
Used for calendars and astronomy, not counting

13. Mayan architecture
Large buildings and temples used for ceremonial purposes
Buildings designed using movement of heavenly bodies
Planned cities

15. Mayan Calendar
Advanced mathematics allowed Mayans to develop solar calendar that is almost perfectly accurate
Needed to know dates of many religious celebrations

16. Many resources spent on religious activities
Traits of Civilization
Strength
Weakness
Religious beliefs
-united culture
-Loyal to the king
Many resources spent on religious activities
Independent city-states
Wealthy & prosperous culture
Frequent warfare between city-states
Intensive agriculture
More food = more people
Soil depletion & population growth created need for more land