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The Maya Chapter 23 Notes Video -- Maya Pyramids of Chichen Itza -- National Geographic
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The Development of Mayan Civilization “Mesoamerica”- what is it? Landscape: rainforests, grasslands, swamps, thick jungles
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Origins Took ideas from the Olmec (1200-500 BCE) Olmec: Est. farming villages Created trade routes First to use a sun calendar YouTube - Legends of the Hidden Temple - The Leopard-Skin Cloak of Annie Oakley (full episode, part 3) YouTube - Legends of the Hidden Temple - The Leopard-Skin Cloak of Annie Oakley (full episode, part 3)
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Pre-Classic ( 2,000 BCE-300 CE ) Simple houses & compounds Public buildings for Govt. & Religion Hieroglyphic writing
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Classic (300 CE-900 CE) & Post-Classic (900 CE- 1500 CE) Independent States- (40 cities!) Observatories /temples/pyramids/palaces Astronomy & Math- Northern cities prosper- (Yucatan Peninsula)- others disappear? Why?
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Class Structure Social Pyramid- layers represent social classes of different rank or status The Ruler-(halach uinic- “true man”)–God King Nobles & Priests- Only people who knew how to read or write PRIESTS-rituals, sacrifices, future Merchants & Artisans- sea, river, road trade routes Peasants- backbone of Mayan Society Slaves- Born into slavery & sometimes sold Criminals/War Prisoner’s
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Family Life Roles Men- work in the fields/ hunted & trapped animals/built buildings (temples, palaces)/ soldiers Women- cooking, cleaning, childcare, sewing Coming of Age Ceremony- 12(F) 14(M)- Confessions, cleansing, reciting
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Marriage Customs Girls-14 Men- 20 Negotiated by village atanzahab (matchmaker) Specific Criteria negotiated Hut built behind bride’s parents
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Beliefs & Rituals Polytheistic- 160+ Gods God of Rain, God of Corn, God of Death Only Priest’s could read signs/perform rituals Offerings: plants, food, jade, shells, animals, humans Chichen Itza- sacred well YouTube - Xcaret - Pok-ta-Pok - Mayan ball game
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Sacred Calendar 2 calendars Daily- based on sun 18 months of 20 days + 5 unlucky days= 365 days total sacred/ritual- tzolkin or Sacred Round 13 months of 20 days= 260 days total 2 cycles: Numbers 1-13 20 day names representing Gods Plant, hunt, cure, do battle Video -- Maya Doomsday Prophecy -- National Geographic Video -- Maya Doomsday Prophecy -- National Geographic
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Challenges Facing Mayan Farmer’s Maize, beans, squash, chili peppers Difficult -> dense forests, little H2O, poor soil Mountains VS lowlands Slash & Burn- ? Drained swamps, cleared hillsides
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End of Classic Period 900 CE, Maya had abandoned the jungles--- why???? Theories: Populations grow faster than farming could sustain Drought, dry weather Uncontrolled warfare Invaders from central Mexico 2 million Maya still remain in Chiapas
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End of Classic Period Theories: Populations grow faster than farming could sustain Drought, dry weather Uncontrolled warfare Invaders from central Mexico 2 million Maya still remain in Chiapas
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