The Maya
Dive into the fascinating world of the Maya civilization through the lens of the iconic Chichen Itza. Discover the origins, societal structures, and cultural practices of the Maya, from their advanced mathematics and astronomy to their polytheistic beliefs and agricultural challenges. Learn about their social hierarchy, with rulers, nobles, and peasants, and how their rich traditions influenced Mesoamerica. This exploration highlights significant historical developments from the Pre-Classic to the Post-Classic periods and unravels the mysteries behind their decline.
The Maya
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Presentation Transcript
The Maya Chapter 23 Notes Video -- Maya Pyramids of Chichen Itza -- National Geographic
The Development of Mayan Civilization • “Mesoamerica”- what is it? • Landscape: rainforests, grasslands, swamps, thick jungles
Origins • Took ideas from the Olmec (1200-500 BCE) • Olmec: • Est. farming villages • Created trade routes • First to use a sun calendar • YouTube - Legends of the Hidden Temple - The Leopard-Skin Cloak of Annie Oakley (full episode, part 3)
Pre-Classic (2,000 BCE-300 CE) • Simple houses & compounds • Public buildings for Govt. & Religion • Hieroglyphic writing
Classic (300 CE-900 CE) & Post-Classic (900 CE- 1500 CE) • Independent States- (40 cities!) • Observatories /temples/pyramids/palaces • Astronomy & Math- • Northern cities prosper- (Yucatan Peninsula)- others disappear? Why?
Class Structure • Social Pyramid- layers represent social classes of different rank or status • The Ruler-(halachuinic- “true man”)–God King • Nobles & Priests- • Only people who knew how to read or write • PRIESTS-rituals, sacrifices, future • Merchants & Artisans- sea, river, road trade routes • Peasants- backbone of Mayan Society • Slaves- • Born into slavery & sometimes sold • Criminals/War Prisoner’s
Family Life • Roles • Men- work in the fields/ hunted & trapped animals/built buildings (temples, palaces)/ soldiers • Women- cooking, cleaning, childcare, sewing • Coming of Age Ceremony- 12(F) 14(M)- • Confessions, cleansing, reciting
Marriage Customs • Girls-14 • Men- 20 • Negotiated by village atanzahab (matchmaker) • Specific Criteria negotiated • Hut built behind bride’s parents
Beliefs & Rituals • Polytheistic- 160+ Gods • God of Rain, God of Corn, God of Death • Only Priest’s could read signs/perform rituals • Offerings: plants, food, jade, shells, animals, humans • Chichen Itza- sacred well YouTube - Xcaret - Pok-ta-Pok - Mayan ball game
Sacred Calendar • 2 calendars • Daily- based on sun • 18 months of 20 days + 5 unlucky days= 365 days total • sacred/ritual-tzolkin or Sacred Round • 13 months of 20 days= 260 days total • 2 cycles: • Numbers 1-13 • 20 day names representing Gods • Plant, hunt, cure, do battle • Video -- Maya Doomsday Prophecy -- National Geographic
Challenges Facing Mayan Farmer’s • Maize, beans, squash, chili peppers • Difficult -> dense forests, little H2O, poor soil • Mountains VS lowlands • Slash & Burn- ? • Drained swamps, cleared hillsides
End of Classic Period • 900 CE, Maya had abandoned the jungles---why???? • Theories: • Populations grow faster than farming could sustain • Drought, dry weather • Uncontrolled warfare • Invaders from central Mexico • 2 million Maya still remain in Chiapas
End of Classic Period • Theories: • Populations grow faster than farming could sustain • Drought, dry weather • Uncontrolled warfare • Invaders from central Mexico • 2 million Maya still remain in Chiapas
