1. The Mayans
1,000 BCE-900s CE

2. Mayan Civilization Begins
Mesoamerica-central part of today’s Mexico and Northern part of Central America (present day Guatamala) Around 1,000 BCE
Mayan crops: beans, squash, avocados and maize (corn)-most important crop
Early houses: Made from vines, poles, mud
Lived in isolated villages-then began trading with other villages

3. Mayan Classic Age 250 CE-900 CE
200 CE: Mayans began building large cities in Mesoamerica
Maya territory grew into 40 large cities
The city of Palenque-built by King Pacal
Canals, large plazas and flat terraces-to grow food on mountain sides
Stone courts-game call Pok Tok
Temple of the Inscriptions
tomb of Maya ruler
Popol Vuh-written description of Mayan religion and gods

4. Pok Ta Pok
Rules:
Using only their shoulders, heads and hips, players tried to bounce a rubber ball through stone rings attached high on the court walls
Winners: Received jewels, clothing a privileges
Losers: beheaded or thrown into senotes

5. Life in the Mayan Civilization
Mayan ruled by a monarch-king
Mayan society in order of importance
King had the highest power-thought to be related to the gods
Mayan upper class-priests, rich merchants and noble warriors
Mayan lower class (most people)-farming families
Women-cared for children, cooked, made yarn and cloth
Men-farmed, hunted made tools
Must: Pay taxes with crops and goods, build temples and buildings, serve in the army

6. Religion and Cultural Achievements
Mayans worshipped many gods, performed human sacrifices to please them
Used prisoners captured in battle
Cultural Achievements:
Built observatories to study the sky

7. Writing System Developed 2 calendars
365 days based on farming, planting and harvesting
260 days used to keep track of religious events
Skilled Mathematicians
Among the first to use a symbol for zero
Developed a writing system

8. Decline of Mayan Civilization
When?
Decline began around 900 CE and happened gradually over a long period of time.
Why? Maybe . . .
Lower class rebelled against the king
Increased warfare between Mayan cities
Could not produce enough food
Climate change