Focus Questions

Ancient Maya

Question 1

• 1A. Step pyramids with roof combs used as ceremonial sites & temples

• 1B. Pyramids – steps /served as tombs as well as stages for public ceremonies

Question 2

• 2A. That he was the absolute ruler.• He had god-like power – both political &

religious. • He could communicate with gods.

• 2B. To draw his blood and burn it (on fig bark) to keep the universe in balance and keep chaos from happening.

Question 3

• 3A. 25 acres of tall towered pyramids, temples & a central plaza of palaces.

• It was an acropolis. (closer to gods/defense)• It had a huge population (300,000) and was

the center of trade. (NYC of the Mayan world)

Question 4

• 4A. Their math system with a base of 20. maybe, because we have 10 fingers and 10 toes. It included a zero!

• There were 365 days in their year. They used 3 interlocking calendars.

• Very advanced in politics, math, and writing (glyphs)compared to other ancient civilizations.

• Astronomy – knowledge of heavenly bodies

Question 5

• 5A. They had 1 of 5 writing systems created in the world. A system of 500 glyphs. The glyphs have faces, numbers and animal parts. Hard to decode. They used fig bark for paper or stele, tombs, bodies (tattoos) and codices (folded paper).

5B. Most Native American cultures – oral traditions.

Question 6

• 6A. Traditions through today: weaving, polytheism (> 1 god), houses, bundles and a planting stick.

• Maya language still spoken in rural areas.• Tamales, empanadas, peppers• Using stone for grinding foods

Question 7

• Major crops: maize, avocado, turkey, peppers, and honey.

• The cacao bean was used as money and also gave them chocolate.

• Made tamales (corn cakes stuffed with meat)• Corn represented life, maturity, death, and

rebirth.

Question 8

Theories for rapid decline:a. Wars between the city-statesb. A changing climate – inability to feed

populationc. Loss of faith in their leaders/religion