Social Studies The Maya

When did the Maya civilization reach its peak?

Between 200 C.E. and 900 C.E. which is also called the classic period.

Where did the origin of the mayan civilization come from?

It came from the Olmecs, who live in the jungle, east coast of Mexico.

What was the role of women and girls in Maya city-states?

They prepared food, cared for children, cleaned, and wove cloth.

What was the role of men and boys in Maya city-states?

They hunted and farmed.

What customs helped strengthen family and community bonds in the Maya?

They celebrated important events with ceremonies and rituals, including births, coming-of-age traditions, and marriages arranged by matchmakers.

What did the Maya believe about gods?

They believed that they could connect to nature, such as, rain, corn, and death, and they believed the gods could help or harm people.

What did the Maya do to honor the gods?

They gave offerings such as, flowers, food, and jade, and they sometimes sacrificed animals and humans.

What is the Mayan ball game, pok-a-tok?

It is a game where the losing team or captain could be killed, which is liked to human sacrifice.

What did they use the 260 day calendar for?

They used that calendar to help plan farming, ceremonies, and other important events.

What type of environment did the Mayas live in?

They lived in areas with dense forests, poor soil, and little water.

What special farming methods did they come up with due to their bad environment?

Terraces on hillsides, raised fields in swamps, and slash-and-burn farming.

What did historians believe was the reason why the Classic Maya Civilization fell?

Food shortages, droughts, wars, and possible invasions helped cause the collapse.

The Maya did not have one giant empire.

Instead, they lived in many city-states, which were independent cities with their own rulers and governments.

What were some things about the Maya city states?

• Each city-state had its own king.

• City-states sometimes traded with each other.

• They also sometimes fought wars against each other.

• Major cities included Tikal and Palenque.

Remember: The Maya were divided into many city-states, not one empire.

What was the Maya society organized like?

It was organized like a pyramid.

Who is at the top of the pyramid?

King (Ruler):

• Highest authority.

• Led the government and military.

• Considered chosen by the gods.

Who is in the Upper Class?

Nobles and Priests:

• Nobles helped govern.

• Priests performed religious ceremonies and studied calendars.

Who is in the Middle Class?

Merchants and Skilled Workers:

• Traded goods such as jade, cacao, and obsidian.

• Made tools, jewelry, and pottery.

Who is in the Lower Class?

Peasants:

• Farmed and built roads, temples, and buildings.

• Produced most of the food.

Who is at the Bottom?

Slaves:

• Usually prisoners of war or people in debt.

• Performed difficult labor.

Remember: Peasants made up most of the population.

What is Maize (Corn) Farming?

Maize (corn) was the Maya's most important crop.

Other crops included:

• Beans

• Squash

• Cacao

What did The Maya often used slash-and-burn farming for?

• Cut down plants and trees.

• Burn them.

• Use the ashes to fertilize the soil.

• Plant crops.

Problem: After several years, the soil lost nutrients and farmers had to move to a new area.

Remember: Corn was the foundation of the Maya diet.

What is Hieroglyphic Writing?

The Maya created one of the most advanced writing systems in the Americas.

• They used hieroglyphs (picture symbols).

• Scribes wrote records about rulers, history, religion, and important events.

• Writing appeared on stone monuments, buildings, and books.

Remember: Maya hieroglyphs were a written language using symbols and pictures.

Calendars, Astronomy, and Zero:

The Maya were excellent astronomers and mathematicians.

Astronomy:

They carefully observed:

• The Sun

• The Moon

• Venus

• Stars

Calendars:

They created accurate calendars to:

• Plan religious ceremonies

• Predict important dates

• Help with farming

Mathematics:

One of their greatest achievements was using the concept of zero, which many civilizations had not developed.

Remember: The Maya used astronomy and math to create accurate calendars, and they understood zero.