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Maya Creates a City State. Standard 2.6 E.Q. What was needed for a Mayan society to build a city state?. Maya Create City - States. Homeland of the Mayan stretched from southern Mexico into northern Central America.
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Maya Creates a City State Standard 2.6 E.Q. What was needed for a Mayan society to build a city state?
Maya Create City - States • Homeland of the Mayan stretched from southern Mexico into northern Central America. • Lowland lie to the north, being dry scrub forest of the Yucatan Peninsula and the dense, steamy jungles of southeastern Mexico and northern Guatemala. • Highland of the south included a range of cool, cloud – weathered mountains that stretch from southern Mexico to El Salvador.
Urban Centers • Classic period of Mayan Civilization was from 250 A.D. to 900 A.D. • One major center in northern Guatemala was the city of Tikal. • Other important cities included Copan, Palenque, Uxmal, and Chichen Itza. • PopolVuh: Famous book written by the Mayan after the arrival of the Spanish.
Agriculture and Trade Support • Though independent, linked through alliance and trade. • Cities exchanged their local products such as salt, flint, feathers, shells, and honey. • Trade craft goods like cotton textiles and jade ornaments.
Agriculture and Trade Support • Mayan did not have a uniform currency, cacao beans sometimes served as one. • Agriculture, particularly growing of maize, beans, and squash, provided the basis for Mayan life. • Started using slash and burn agriculture methods, but included planting on raised beds above swamps and on hillside terraces.
Kingdoms Built on Dynasties • Successful farming methods lead to wealthy and the development of social classes. • Mayan king sat the top of this class structure. (Holy Figure) • Noble class, which included priests and lead warriors were the top rung of Mayan society. • Middle included merchants and specialized knowledge such as artisans. • Bottom of society, came the peasant majority.
