BySaul Tobias Raul Chaidez

Zach HillGiselle Tejeda

The Mayan Civilization

Homeland stretched from southern Mexico into northern Central America.

Highlands : cool, cloud-wreathed mountainsLowlands : dry scrub forest of the Yucatan

and jungles of southeastern Mexico.They were independent.

City-States

One of the major centers of the Mayans is the city of Tikal located in northern Guatemala.

Ruled by God Kings.They served as centers of religious

ceremonies and trade.

Urban Centers

Between city-states they exchanged salt, flint, feathers, shells, and honey, cotton textiles, and jade ornaments.

Farmed corn, beans, and squash.

Agriculture and Trade

Mayan Society

Made offerings to their Gods with food, flowers, and incense.

Carried out human sacrifices.Believed that human sacrifices kept the world

in balance.Also believed in the afterlife.

Religious Practices

Their religion led to the development of the calendar, mathematics, and astronomy.

They calculated the solar year at 365.2420 days.

It’s only .0002 of a day short from what we have today.

Math and Religion

Maya writing has about 800 glyphs (hieroglyphic symbols).

Recorded historical events in a bark paper book known as a codex.

Popol Vuh is one of the most famous books of their writings.

Written Language

United cultureLoyalty to the kingWealthy and prosperous cultureProduction of more food feeds a larger

population

Rise of the Maya

Physical and human resources funneled into religious activities

Frequent warfare between kingdomsPopulation growth created need for more

land

Weaknesses Leading to Decline