© Teaching Packs - Ancient Maya - Page 1

By Helen and Mark Warner

The Maya were an advanced ancient civilisation that lived thousands of

years ago. The first Maya settled in Central Mexico around 800 BC.

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In this section, you will learn about...

1. When and where the Maya people lived.

2. How Maya settlements changed.

3. Why historians believe the Maya were an important civilisation.

A map of the world.

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A map of Mexico.

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Palaces and templesAt the heart of each city usually stood palaces and temples. These buildings were built on raised ground so that they towered above the surrounding city. Buildings were carefully planned by skilled architects and built out of strong stone by labourers. Only the most important people in the city lived in this area.

The elaborate temples stood at the highest point and they were either covered in white stucco and polished (so they shone in the sun) or painted red and blue. These huge buildings were sometimes up to 70 metres tall and constructed by hand without machines. Many had giant steps leading up to them and they were carved with elaborate images of gods and mythical creatures. The top of the temple was flat so the priest could stand there to perform ceremonies and sacrifices in honour of the gods as the people watched.

Palaces built for the King and the ruling classes were built around a central courtyard and separated by arches. Administrative buildings were constructed near to the palace so that the king had his advisors nearby. Ball-courts were also built in this part of the city. A special ball game called pok-a-tok was played there and this was an important part of their religious beliefs.

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Chichen Itza is a famous complex of Maya ruins.

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NoblesNobles in Maya society were those born to wealthy families who owned land and held positions of responsibility and power. They included administrators, generals and scribes. Noble families could trace their ancestors back over many generations. Children born in noble families were taught to read and write by educated priests.

Warriors, merchants and craftsmenThese people were an important part of society. Warriors were respected for their strength and courage, merchants traded between city-states and craftsmen made and sold crafts and other goods.Children born into a craftsman’s family were given different responsibilities. Boys were taught craft skills from their fathers whilst girls were taught how to weave, cook and care for the younger children in the family.

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Pok-A-TokOne of the main stories in the Popol Vuh is a creation myth about twin brothers called Hunahpu and Xbalanque who were the sons of the maize god. The story explains how the twins had annoyed the gods by playing a ball game too loudly. They were then forced to play a game to save their lives. In their anger, the gods of the underworld knocked Hunahpu’s head off to use as a ball, but Xbalanque managed to whack the head back onto his brother’s neck.

As a result of this myth, the Maya treated ball courts as holy places. The Pok-a-tok ball courts were built out of stone and painted bright colours. The game was played as part of religious ceremonies between two teams who had to pass the ball without touching it with their hands. Elbows, forearms, hips or knees could be used and points were scored by striking the ball through a stone ring. The ring was placed at one end of the court and it was usually 10 metres high. It was very hard to score!

Historians do not fully understand the rules and are unsure how the winning team was rewarded. Some think that they were killed so they could enter the afterlife. Others believe the losing team was killed and used as a sacrifice to the gods.

Did You Know?

The Maya were probably the first civilisation to play a team sport

as they were the first to make a rubber ball! These balls were made

using sap collected from rubber trees. The sap was mixed with the

juice of the Morning Glory vine which enabled the Maya to mould it

into the shape of a ball. Each ball would have weighed up to 3.5kg!

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Maya playing Pok-A-Tok with photos of a ball court.

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AbandonTo leave a place forever.

AD / CEAfter the birth of Jesus Christ / Common Era.

Absolute rulerA person who rules and does not need to consult with anyone else to pass laws or rules.

AdministratorA person responsible for helping the King to run the city-state.

AfterlifeLife after death.

Ah KinThe high priest.

Ahau (or Ahaw)The king of a Maya city-state.

AlliancesAn agreement and union between two or more city-states that is beneficial for all and leads to the sharing of resources.

AncestorA person related to you who lived a long time ago.

AqueductA system of pipes or channels to carry water over a long distance.

ArchaeologistA person who studies the remains left behind by past civilisations.

ArchitectA person whose job it is to design buildings.

ArchitectureThe practice of designing buildings.

ArtefactAn object made by people from the past.

AstrologyThe studying of the stars and planets and their movement to predict how they might affect people.

AstronomyThe study of the stars and planets.

AstronomerA person whose job it is to study the stars and the movement of the planets in our solar system.

AtanzahabA matchmaker who decided whether a new couple would get along.

AtlatlA spear thrower.

AuthorityThe power or right to make decisions.

BC / BCEBefore the birth of Jesus Christ / Before the Common Era.

BacabsFour gods who were thought to hold up the sky.

BaktunA period of about 400 years.

Ball courtThe place where the sacred game of Pok-a-tok was played to honour the gods.

BatabA lord who usually ruled over a small town.

BarterTo exchange goods or services without using money.

Birth chartA map that shows the position of the planets when a person was born.

BloodlettingA ritual that involved a person shedding their own blood to honour the gods.

CacaoThe seeds of the cacao tree which are used to make cocoa and chocolate.

CalendarA chart that shows the days, weeks and months of the year.

CanalA man-made waterway used to carry water away from or to something.

CarvingCreating an object by cutting or shaping a material (e.g. wood or stone).

CausewayA raised roadway built across a marsh.

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Can you answer these calculations using the correct symbols?

1) 1 + 3 = 11) 6 + 4 =

2) 2 + 4 = 12) 7 + 8 =

3) 3 + 4 = 13) 18 - 6 =

4) 6 + 3 = 14) 14 - 1 =

5) 5 - 2 = 15) 19 - 8 =

6) 4 + 4 = 16) 10 + 10 =

7) 9 - 9 = 17) 3 + 15 =

8) 7 - 6 = 18) 10 + 4 =

9) 1 + 1 = 19) 8 + 9 =

10) 10 - 5 = 20) 20 - 4 =

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©A Maya ball court.

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A replica of the fresco found at Bonampak.

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Mark and Helen

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