By: Maya Smigel

Mayan

Mayan City

This is where the Mayans were settled. It was known as the Yucatan Peninsula.

Map

Topography: -volcanic mountains-comprised highlands in south to lowlands in central and northern regions

Southern Lowlands is covered by a rainforest and swamps.

Northern Lowlands is also comprised of forests, but is much drier and mainly grew small thorny trees.

Maya CivilizationGeography and Landscape

The Maya civilization originated in the lowlands of Mexico and Central America.

They may have had a population of over 10 million at the peak of their civilization.

Maya Territory

Mayan cities were once ruled by kings that had a lot of power over the people who lived there. The king was the Chief and the high priest.

Government

By 500 B.C.E., Tikal became the first great Maya City.

Tikal had a plaza and paved roads.At its peak, it had an urban population of

40,000 and a rural population of 50,000.

Tikal

Class Society

(ON TOP) King or High Priest (ahaw) (SECOND )Council (Priesthood) - often part

of the Royal Family(THIRD) Nobles(FORTH) Merchants & Artisans(Bottom) Commoners - Farmers (and Slaves)

Class Society (cont.)

The Maya Empire included dozens of city states in the areas which are now: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El

Salvador

Today

Mayan Alphabet

Mayan Numbers

Religion was very important for the Mayan’s. The Mayan’s had festivals to celebrate the many gods. Their gods symbolize everything from weather, harvest, birth, death, and war. The Mayan’s made many temples honoring these gods.

Religion

The Maya were the most advanced society of pre-Columbian America.

They used their knowledge of astronomy in their planting cycles, festivals, and even in planning war.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The Maya Developed Three Separate Calendars:

The Ritual Calendar of 260 daysThe Civil Calendar of 365 daysAnd the Long Count

The Long Count will end on 2012 – to the Maya it meant the end of civilization, and the beginning of a glorious, new one.

Calendars

Pictures!