The Mayas

1. The Mayas

2. Mesoamerican Civilizations Pre-Columbian Civilizations • Olmecs • 1400-500 B.C. • Mayas • 300-900 A.D. • Aztecs • 1200-1600 A.D. • Incas • 1430-1540 A.D.

3. Religion Famous temple at Chichen Itza • Priests held high status in Mayan society • Only ones who knew the intricate rituals that Mayas believed would ensure bountiful harvests and victories in battle • Towering temples dominated Mayan cities • Rituals included sacrifices • Mayan temples were the tallest buildings in the western hemisphere until 1903!

4. Farming and Trade • Majority of Mayan population was farmers • Intricate irrigation systems • Men cultivated: • Maize (corn) • Beans • Squash • Women turned crops into foods • Farmers paid taxes in the form of food • Profitable trade system using elaborate series of dirt roads

5. Social Structure Chief Nobles Priests Merchants and Artisans Peasants and Slaves Distinct social class Nobles helped ruling chief manage taxes, military, and enforced laws Women occasionally in positions of power

6. The Game of Life and Death Significant resources were used to create stadiums Archaeologists have uncovered instruments in the stadiums Teams had fans How was the game viewed by the Mayas? How does this compare to our sports today?

7. Decline • Around 900 A.D. Mayans abandoned their cities • Culprits include disease, warfare, famine, overpopulation, over-taxing

8. Contributions • Architecture • Vast temples and palaces • Intricate cities • Elaborate carvings on the wall depicted events from Mayan history • Agriculture • Clearing out dense rainforests and building raised fields that held and drained rainwater

9. Contributions • Learning and Science • Developed intricate system of hieroglyphics • Recorded writings in books made of bark • Mayan priests developed accurate 365-day calendar • Needed to know exact time for rituals and ceremonies • Used a numbering system including zero before the Europeans did