An Introduction to the An Introduction to the Mayan PeopleMayan People

NDW 4MNDW 4M

Map of Mayan RegionMap of Mayan Region

Shade the following location on Shade the following location on your map – Mayan territoryyour map – Mayan territory• Southern Mexico (state of Campeche, Yucatan, Quintana Southern Mexico (state of Campeche, Yucatan, Quintana

Roo, Tabasco, Chiapas), parts of Belize, Guatemala, Roo, Tabasco, Chiapas), parts of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and El SalvadorHonduras and El Salvador

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background

• Best-known of Mesoamerican Best-known of Mesoamerican civilizationcivilization

• Originated in Yucatan around 2600 Originated in Yucatan around 2600 B.C.E.B.C.E.

• These regions were mainly composed These regions were mainly composed of tropical rain forestsof tropical rain forests

• Mayan civilization reached its peak Mayan civilization reached its peak 250-900 C.E.250-900 C.E.

Mayan DevelopmentsMayan Developments

• The Maya developed astronomy, The Maya developed astronomy, mathematics, art, architecture, mathematics, art, architecture, calendars, and hieroglyphic writing.calendars, and hieroglyphic writing.

• They were also skilled farmers, They were also skilled farmers, weavers, potters, and traders.weavers, potters, and traders.

• They developed a sophisticated They developed a sophisticated number system which gave a symbol number system which gave a symbol to the number zeroto the number zero

Chichen ItzaChichen Itza

• Chichen Itza was the last great Mayan city Chichen Itza was the last great Mayan city built during the period of Mayan built during the period of Mayan dominance in Mesoamerica.dominance in Mesoamerica.

• By the middle of the 9By the middle of the 9thth century it was the century it was the leading political and economic centreleading political and economic centre

• How long it lasted is unclear – evidence How long it lasted is unclear – evidence indicates pre 1000 C.E.indicates pre 1000 C.E.

• The collapse of the civilization is a The collapse of the civilization is a mystery…or due to a number of factors!mystery…or due to a number of factors!

CultureCulture

• As in other cultures, the Maya used As in other cultures, the Maya used personal appearance, clothing, and personal appearance, clothing, and adornments to indicate social status.adornments to indicate social status.

• Body paint was also used to mark Body paint was also used to mark special groups of peoplespecial groups of people

• The Maya played ball games which The Maya played ball games which were associated with rituals and were associated with rituals and rights – they played for their lives!rights – they played for their lives!

The Maya todayThe Maya today

• There are about six million Maya There are about six million Maya today living in Mexico, Guatemala, today living in Mexico, Guatemala, and Belizeand Belize

• Each of the 31 groups throughout Each of the 31 groups throughout Central America speaks a different, Central America speaks a different, though related, languagethough related, language