Maya Civilization

Mayan People

The Maya settled in the Peten, or flat region in dense rain forests.

The swamps and sinkholes connected the Maya to a huge system of underground rivers and streams.

Sinkholes

Mayan People

The Maya set up city-states with Kings like Jasaw Chan K’awiil I.

The kings lead the armies and organized great building projects.

Focus Check

How did the sinkholes help the Maya?

Other than leadership the kings of the Mayan city-states did what?

Mayan Culture

The Mayans worshiped many gods and tried to please them.

One way the Mayans pleased the gods was by human sacrifice.Mayan priests offered captives to Chac,

the god of rain and sunlight.

During Mayan battles they wanted captives more than land.Sacrifices were made from the top of

captured societies

Mayan Culture

Mayan Culture

Mayan cities had many ball courts.

In the ball game, teams of 2-3 players tried to drive a hard rubber ball through a decorated stone ring.

Players wore helmets, gloves, knee and hip protection made of animal hide.

The winners were rewarded as heroes with gifts while the losing team were sacrificed.

Mayan Culture

Mayan priests set up a strict social class system where everyone had a place.

Mayan priests studied the sky to determine the gods’ thoughts.By doing this, they developed

astronomy and a calendar.

Mayan Culture

The Mayan people developed a writing system of Hieroglyphics that only nobles could read.

Royal women married into royal families from other city-states.This strengthened trade and helped form alliances.Women were important and could rule as queens.

The Mayan city-states began collapsing after the 500s C.E. for unknown reasons.By the end of the 900s C.E. Mayans began

abandoning their city-states.

Focus Check

How did the Mayan people try to please the gods?

How did women play a role in Mayan society?

Mayan priests developed what from trying to please the gods.