Alanis S. is the creator of this presentation to fulfill the requirements of a middle school humanities course on ancient civilizations.

1. Mayans
By: Alanis

2. Mayan Building structures

3. Mayan Temple
This is a Mayan
temple in Yucatan
Mexico. Mayan Temples
usually have Steep
Bases with stairs on each
side and sky roofs. These
temples were usually
built for religious
purposes. Some temples
have also been built for
astrology.
From Manuel Pacheco as found at http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/photo-contest/2011/entries/76125/view/

4. Palace of the Masks
The Palace
of masks is
located in Kabah,
Yucatan, Mexico.
This Palace is
completely
covered in masks
that represent the
rain god, Chac.
This Palace also is
know as Codz
Poop, which
means Rolled
Matting.
Image courtesy of Crafty Lady 37 as found at http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5583183826_9e8047b9d8.jpg

5. Mayan Pyramid
This Picture was
taken in Guatemala.
Pyramids were built for
two purposes;
sacrifices and Sacred
Ceremonies. Mayan
Pyramids are decorated
with beautiful murals.
One of the most
famous pyramids is the
pyramid of the sun. The
pyramid of the sun is
210 feet tall.
Image courtesy of Tomas Abreu as found at http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-
contest/entries/49424/view/

6. Tikal
Tikal was once
the largest city in the
Mayan classical period
and might be the oldest
Mayan city. Tikal has
nine groups of courts
and plazas. In the main
religious area temples
and palaces covers
about 500 acres. The
tallest building is a
temple that stands at
229 feet tall.
Image courtesy of Canadian Museum of Civilization Coporation as found at
http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/maya/mmc02eng.shtml

7. Mayan Ball Court
This picture was taken in
Riviera Maya. Mayans
played the Mesoamerican
ballgame for over 3000
years. This game was
played by using a rubber
ball (sometimes a skull
was used) and trying to get
it into the hoop. You could
you any part of your body
except for your hands
These ball courts were not
only used for the ballgame,
they were also used for
musical performances and
festivals. A motified game
is still played in some
populations
Image courtesy of Jill K. Robinson as found at http://static.travelmuse.com/docs/artwork/columns/off-beat/coba/off-beat-coba-mayan-ball-
court-full.jpg

8. Mayan Culture

9. Mayan Diets
This picture
was taken in
Guatemala. In
ancient Mayan times
most of the Mayan's
ate corn as the main
part of the meal.
Corn was also a very
important part of their
meal. Mayans bent
corn ears over when
they were ripe so that
Image courtesy of William Bossen as found at
they can dry and be
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/photo-contest/2011/entries/117759/view/
persevered until the
next harvest season.

10. Ancient Mayan Warrior
This picture was taken in
Riviera Maya, Mexico. The
Mayans did not use horses
or chariots as their weapons
instead they used armor that
could be used from a
distance. Those tools
included; bow and arrow,
blowgun, spears, axes,
knives and atatls (spear
throwers). They did not wear
helmets but they did have
animal skin shields. The
chiefs were know for being
dressed in animal print ropes
and head dresses. They
were also known for body
painting of religious insignia.
Image courtesy of Jesus Oranday as found at http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/photo-contest/2011/entries/106727/view/

11. Mayan Calendar
The Mayan calendar uses
three types of dating
systems,: the long count, the
divine calendar and the civil
calendar. Out of all three only
the civil calendar has a direct
relationship to the length of
365 days in a year. The civil
calendar had 18 months
which had 20 days in them
and five extra days.
Image courtesy of Melting Plots as found at http://meltingplots.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/mayan2.jpg

12. Mayan Doctors
Mayan doctors us a blend of
mind, body, science, religion,
and ritual on their patients.
These doctors were called
shamans. Shamans practice
sorcery and had to have a
vast knowledge and skill
about things medical related.
Image courtesy of Jamie Frater as found at http://listverse.com/2009/09/21/top-10-fascinating-facts-about-the-mayans/

13. Human Sacrifices
Mayans worshiped
many gods. Some of
the many gods they
worshiped are the sun
god, the rain god, and
the corn god. They
offered human
sacrifices to the gods
on pyramids. Even
now they still practice
human sacrifices in
I
some parts of the
world.
mage Courtesy of Caitie Mathis as found at http://www.visionmagazine.com/archives/0801/mind_states_ancient_maya.html

14. Sources
 McNelly, Nacy. "Temples." Thinkquest.org. Jun 1997. Web. Dec. 2011.
 Wagner, Rob. "Facts About Mayan Pyramids." Travel Tips - USAToday.com. Web. 07
Dec. 2011. <http://traveltips.usatoday.com/mayan-pyramids-1119.html>.
 "Tikal." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 7 Dec.
2011
 Criscenzo, Jeeni. "What Part Did Agricultural Practices Play in the Growth and
Collapse of the Ancient Maya Civilization?" Who Is Jeeni Criscenzo? Web. 07 Dec.
2011. <http://www.criscenzo.com/jaguarsun/farming.html>.
 "The Mayan Military (ca. 300-900 AD)." Ancient History Blog. Web. 07 Dec. 2011.
<http://ancientstandard.com/2007/03/22/the-mayan-military-ca-300-900-ad/>.
 "The Mayan Calendar | Calendars." Webexhibits. Web. 07 Dec. 2011.
<http://www.webexhibits.org/calendars/calendar-mayan.html>.
 Citation added:
 "Mayan Religion - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just
the Facts on the World's Religions. Web. 07 Dec. 2011.
<http://www.religionfacts.com/mayan_religion/index.htm>.
 "Top 10 Fascinating Facts About The Mayans." Top 10 Lists - Listverse. Web. 07 Dec.
2011. <http://listverse.com/2009/09/21/top-10-fascinating-facts-about-the-mayans/>.