5.1 The Maya

1. 5.1 The Maya The Maya developed an advanced civilization that thrived in Mesoamerica from about 250 until the 900s.

2. Geography and the Early Maya • Mesoamerica: the region that stretches from the central part of Mexico south to include the northern part of Central America. • Here, a people called the Maya developed a remarkable civilization.

4. 1000 BC  the Maya settled in northern Guatemala & cleared the tropical forests there to farm. • They grew beans, squash, avocados, and maize (corn).

5. AD 200  the Maya began to build large cities in Mesoamerica as a result of increased trade.

6. The Classic Age • The Maya civilization reached its height between AD 250 and 900 (the Classic Age) • Maya territory grew to include more than 40 large cities, each with its’ own government and king. • Mayan cities were linked through trade which allowed the Maya to get supplies for construction. • Maya cities had grand buildings such as palaces decorated with carvings and paintings.

7. The Maya also built stone pyramids topped with temples. • In the city of Palenque, the king Pacal had a temple built to record his achievements. • In addition to all of this, they also build canals and paved large plazas, or open squares, for public gatherings.

9. Ruins of Palenque

10. Maya Culture • Social structure and religion were the two main influences on the Maya’s.

11. Social Structure • Upper class  the king (who was thought to be related to the gods), priests, rich merchants, and noble warriors. • Lower Class (most Mayans)  farming families who lived outside the cities. • These citizens had to “pay” their rulers by giving them part of their crops and goods such as cloth and salt.

13. Religion • The Maya worshipped many gods, such as a creator, a sun god, a moon goddess, and a maize god. • Each god was believed to control a different aspect of daily life.

14. The Maya tried to please their gods so they would get their help. • They believed that their gods needed blood to prevent disasters or the end of the world. • Every person offered blood to the gods by piercing their tongue or skin. • On special occasions, the Maya made human sacrifices (usually prisoners captured in battle), offering their hearts to stone carvings of the gods.

15. Achievements • Mayan achievements include: • Built large observatories (buildings from which people could study the sky) • 2 calendars – one with 365 days which was used to guide farming activities, and another with 260 days to keep track of religious events. • A number system in which they were some of the first people with a symbol for zero. • A writing system • Beautiful jade and gold jewelry

17. Decline of Mayan Civilization • AD 900s  Mayan civilization began to collapse because of what historians believe was a combination of many factors – but no one knows for sure what really happened. • One factor – the burden on the common people which could have caused them to rebel and leave the cities. • Another factor – increased warfare between the cities that were always fighting for more power.

18. Another factor – eventually perhaps the Mayans could not produce enough food to feed their ever-growing population. • A final factor – climate change which could have caused droughts in Mesoamerica during the period of the Mayans.