1. How did the Maya live in the rain forests of Mesoamerica?

2. Maya Communities
The Maya lived in parts of southern Mexico and Central America
Challenges: Thick forests blocked out sunlight, insects
Advantages: Swamps and sinkholes provided underground rivers and streams for water
The Maya cleared forests and planted fields of corn
There were more than 50 independent city-states

3. Mayan Society
Each city-state was ruled by a King who claimed to be a descendent of the sun god
The Mayans believed that the gods controlled everything on Earth
They held ceremonies to please the gods
For example, when there was a drought, the Mayans would sacrifice captives of war to please Chac, the god of rain

4. The Mayans fought battles for two reasons: Captives Land
War
The Mayans fought battles for two reasons:
Captives
Land

5. Mayan WOmen Women played a significant part in Mayan society
There were ruling queens in at least two city-states, and one may have been founded by a woman

6. Mayan Achievements
Priests thought the movement of the planets and stars showed the gods’ plans, so they were skilled astronomers
The Maya created 2 different calendars
260 day calendar for religious events
365 day calendar for planting and harvesting
The Maya created a number system
Used hieroglyphs

7. Historians don’t know why Maya culture collapsed, could be due to:
Increased warfare between city-states
Erosion of soil