our global project for 1st period on the mayan society.

1. 1200 BC- 400 BC
A.M- downfall, religion
S.C-geography, government
S.S-
Global pd 1

2. Located in the Guatemala.
Tikal is bounded by rivers to the east and west
that go into the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.
Wetlands provided fertile areas for agriculture.
Maya’s homeland was from southern Mexico to
northern Central America.
Had a highland and lowland region; located on the
Yucatan Peninsula.
In peninsula is hot and humid because it is in the
tropics and near the coast.
The climate of the Highlands greatly contrasted
with that of the Lowlands as it was much cooler
and drier.
The highlands were rich in obsidian, jade, and
other valuable metals that Mayans used to
develop a lively trade.
They also grew squash, beans, chili peppers,
amaranth, manioc, cacao, cotton for light cloth.
The lowlands are a limestone shelf bordered on
the north and west by the Gulf of Mexico and on
the east by the Caribbean Sea.
The northern lowland climate is hot and has little
to no rain. They only had cenotes which were
large sinkholes filled with rainwater.
The southern lowlands consist of rainforest and
savannas and their rivers were linked to the
Usumacinta River.

3. Mayan society was divided into seperate city-states.
Each city-state was ruled by a noble family. The kingdoms were controlled by dynasties which
claimed they descended from The Hero Twins
One of the most famous Maya rulers was Lord Pacal.
Pacal was a king for about 50 years before he died. When his tomb was discovered he was
wearing a jade death mask
Each king was regarded as a holy figure, and the throne was passed down to the eldest son
The government was ruled by priests and kings - the priests had fantastic power; they ruled
cities, led ceremonies, and performed other jobs.
Others were elected to help the nobles run the city-states; judges, warriors and a council or
elders were necessary

4. They also believed that Jaguar was their underworld in
Religion was a key factor in Mayan life which people would have their afterlife, after going a
The king was a holy figure and on the top of the social dangerous soul expedition.
classes although that did not ensure him a place in The Mayans had religious rituals that included human
heaven. sacrifice, where they nourished the gods with their
The Mayans were polytheistic, believing in many god blood.
such as the gods of corn, death, rain and war. Their religious beliefs gradually connected with
Games were played in ball courts to maintain the astronomy, mathematics and the production of their
cycles of the sun and moon and to bring rain. calendar.
Believed that each day represented a different god, so Believed that each day represented a different god, so
they made a calendar to be prepared for the behavior they made a calendar to be prepared for the behavior of
of the different god each day. the different god each day.
Worshipped in temple-pyramids, palaces and The religious calendar was created based on the
observatories, all hand made w/out metals tools and all position of the planets, sun and moon and was a 260
contain beautiful stone carvings, representing religious day calendar.
beliefs. Solar calendar: 18, 20 day months
In addition, both calendars were linked and helped to
determine the best time to plant crops, the best time to
interact in war, and the beginning of new rulers reign.

5. Trade and Agriculture
Maya cities were linked together by
trade alliances - trade played an
important role in connecting the
empire
Salt, flint, feathers, shells, honey,
cotton, textile, and jade ornaments
were popular products
Cacao beans sometimes severed as
currency
The Maya farmed maize, beans,
and squash - these crops were the
foundation of Mayan life.
Used different farming techniques,
some unique to their society (see
Advancements and Innovations),
such as slash-and-burn agriculture
and a method of planting crops of
raised beds above swamps and
hillside terraces.
Having several productive farming
techniques allowed Mayan farmers
to produce copious amounts of food

6. Sophisticated farming technique of planting crops on raised beds above swamps and on
hillside terraces that allowed farmers to grow large amounts of food
Used obsidian to make tools and weapons
Used glyphs, which stood for whole words or syllables, as a writing system
Used codex (bark paper book) to record historical events
Developed a calendar and math system, and also ideas in astronomy
260 day religious calendar, consisting of twelve 13 day months
a second 365 day solar calendar, consisting of eighteen 20 day months
based calendars off study of the moon, planets and sun; made possible by using a
math system that included the concept of zero

7. Culture
The Maya were influenced strongly by the Olmec.
The Maya were also incredibly in touch with nature -
in their religion, government, agriculture, and
innovations
During the Classic Period (AD 250 - 900) the Maya
flourished
built Tikal (major city)
cities were full of giant pyramids, temples,
palaces and elaborate stone carvings of the
gods, and even ball courts
urban centers were often found in the
rainforest
The Maya were knowledgeable of mathematics and
astronomy
Their population was relatively small, and very few
actually lived in the urban centers
Noble class (priests, leading warriors) followed by
Merchants, and then peasants made up class
system
The Mayan had specific ideas about beauty
prized a long, backward sloping forehead
crossed-eyes
babies would be altered to achieve these
characteristics

8. In the late 800's the Mayans
deserted a few of their cites,
although other cities ( Yucatan. etc.)
continued to flourish. No one knows
for sure why.
Soon the northern Toltec's moved
in on the Maya. As a result, culture
was changed and the existence of
certain cities completely wiped out.
The civilization slowly began to
weaken. Violence became a
problem and people were forced to
live in jungles in poverty and
famine.
When the Spanish arrived in 1500,
The Maya were merely a fraction of
what they used to be. They were
easily overcome.

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