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The Mayas. In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms: Mayas Farming Techniques of the Mayas Religious beliefs of the Mayas Class Hierarchy of the Mayas Accomplishments of the Mayas. The Mayas lived in southern Mexico and Guatemala. The Mayas.
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The Mayas In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms: Mayas Farming Techniques of the Mayas Religious beliefs of the Mayas Class Hierarchy of the Mayas Accomplishments of the Mayas Cy- Ranch 2014-2015
The Mayas lived in southern Mexico and Guatemala. Cy- Ranch 2014-2015
The Mayas • From about 250 A.D., the Mayas built a civilization in present-day Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Mexico. • The Mayas developed an advanced civilization in Central America. Cy- Ranch 2014-2015
Tikal was the most important Maya political center, 300 to 900 C.E. Under difficult Geographic circumstances, the Mayas farmed Successfully and built beautiful cities. Cy- Ranch 2014-2015
Agriculture • The Mayas drained swamps to farm. • Two-thirds of the city inhabitants worked in fields during daytime • The Mayas erected platforms for farming in the rain forest. • Besides maize, they also cultivated cotton and cacao • The Mayas irrigated their fields of corn, beans, and other plants to produce agricultural surpluses. Cy- Ranch 2014-2015
It was difficult land to farm on but Mayan farming techniques produced agricultural surpluses. Cy- Ranch 2014-2015
Religion • The Mayas were polytheists. They believed in many gods. • A large temple pyramid stood in the middle of every Mayan city. • Cities were religious centers. • Followed elaborate rituals Cy- Ranch 2014-2015
Religious thought • PopolVuh, a Maya creation myth, taught that gods created humans out of maize and water • Gods maintained agricultural cycles in exchange for honors and sacrifices • Bloodletting rituals honored gods for rains Cy- Ranch 2014-2015
Maya Ball Game • Sporting gambling • The ball game which originiated with the Olmec culture eventually became a system of sacrifice as the leader of the losing team was often sacrificed to the gods. Cy- Ranch 2014-2015
The Mayas lived in city-states. The city-states never united. A large temple pyramid stood in the middle of each city.Chichen Itza, Cy- Ranch 2014-2015
Trade • The professional Mayan Merchants traded extensively. • Traders sold salt, honey, cotton, bird feathers, food, and slaves. • The Mayas profited greatly from trade. • Artisans were famous for their obsidian tools and orange pottery Cy- Ranch 2014-2015
Trade was very important to the Mayas. Cy- Ranch 2014-2015
The Class Hierarchy • 1. Rulers were the most powerful members of society • Kings, priests and hereditary nobility at the top • 2. Warriors and priests. • Maya warfare: warriors had prestige; captives were slaves or victims • 3. Artisans, merchants, • Merchants were from the ruling class • Professional architects and artisans were important • 4. Peasants, and slaves • were the least powerful members of society • Majority of the population Cy- Ranch 2014-2015
The Maya calendar had both solar and ritual years interwoven The Mayas invented a calendar. Cy- Ranch 2014-2015
Accomplishments • The Mayas invented a mathematical system based on the number 20. • The Mayas studied astronomy and built pyramids. Supported their religious practices • Maya writing was ideographic and syllabic • Written language is presereved in stone carvings • Only 4 books remain since Spanish priests burned many during the Cy- Ranch 2014-2015
Mayan Glyphs sky king house child city Mayan Mathematics Cy- Ranch 2014-2015
Questions for Reflection: • Who were the Mayas and where did they live? • Why is it surprising that the Mayas produced agricultural surpluses? • Why did the Mayas build pyramids? • What did the Mayas trade? • List several accomplishments of the Mayas. Cy- Ranch 2014-2015
