1. By Carly Bloom, Marguerite Girandola, and Maria DiCindio
Mayan Civilization
By Carly Bloom, Marguerite Girandola, and Maria DiCindio

2. Description: Location

3. Description: Government
One people
City Sates
One noble family per city to control
Aristocracy (Father died, power  son)

4. Description: Law Very strict laws, but fair Trials and courts
If ruled guilty, punished
Hair cut

5. Description: Role in History
Artistic in architecture and hieroglyphics
Idea of “0”
Rich culture
Outrageous pyramids

6. Population Farmers Corn Enabled steady food supply
Burned and farmed 5% of land per year

7. Way of Life Scattered living 2000 years of steady population increase
Started mining sediments
Grew more crops
Built cities, towns

8. Demise Thrived on their isolation until trade routes formed Drought
Taken over by Mexico, then the Spanish 1517
Overpopulation causing
deforestation, lack of food,
and erosion

9. Social Life Built some pretty schnazy pyramids
History burned by Diego de Landa 1547
Much unknown

10. Economy
Traded cacao seeds, salt, obsidian, gold (varied in value depending on region)
Food- corn, beans, squash
Clothing, pottery, tools

11. Religion Ceiba Tree “Tree of Life”
Gods and Goddesses associated with crops (especially corn)
Prayed to idols for good crops
Wasn’t enough food for
amount of people
 prayed for more food

12. U.S. vs. Mayans
Leaders in Mayan society: The same family ruled forever (Monarchy)
Leaders in American Society: Democracy
Nobles are to Mayan Society as to celebrities are to American society

13. U.S. vs. Mayans Continued
Bathed often, pierced their ears, were tattooed, wore colorful clothing, had straight hair, high cheek bones and they loved jewelry
Hats were the most important
piece of clothing. "the bigger
the hat, the more important
the wearer"

14. Works Cited
"The Great Collapse." Of the Classic Maya. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct <
"Maya Law." Tarlton Law Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct <
"Mayan Civilization." Mayan Civilization. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct <
"Mayan Economy and Trade." Latin American History. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct <