The MayansThe Mayans

A Great Empire Hidden Amongst the JungleA Great Empire Hidden Amongst the Jungle

Introduction

• Over 1500 years ago, a great empire thrived in the heart of the jungles of central America. It was here that history witnessed some of the greatest accomplishments of all time and the start of the Americas.

Mayan Architecture

• Still today the ruins of the great pyramids that the Mayans created can be found in the deep jungles of central America.

• Mayan architecture ranges in size from small terraces no higher than two meters than giant 120 ft temples

• The Mayans will go down in history for one of the greatest accomplishments for the breathtaking temples they created

• These temples were built on immensely tall pyramids.• They were built with steeped sided structured stone• The base of the pyramid were decorated with religious art and images.• Limestone was abundant in the region and was used in the architecture of

many Mayan structures.

Technology • Even over 1500 years ago, the Mayans were creating

some of the most innovative and advanced technology and concepts that would shape their culture and help them leave their mark in history.

• One of the greatest Mayan technology accomplishments was the Mayan calendar which was quite advanced for an ancient civilization

• The Mayans noticed the patterns of the solar system and developed a system so advanced they could predict upcoming events such as when the sun rises and sets, and when there would be an eclipse.

• Even believing the world would end in December of 2012• The Mayans were so skilled in predicting from the observations

they took and the smart inferences they made.

Religion•

• The Mayans had many religious festivals and rituals The Mayans had many religious festivals and rituals

honoring many godshonoring many gods• The Mayan gods symbolized weather, the harvest, birth, The Mayan gods symbolized weather, the harvest, birth,

death, and wardeath, and war• The temples/pyramids were dedicated their gods. A festival The temples/pyramids were dedicated their gods. A festival

was either held for one or a few of the godswas either held for one or a few of the gods• The Mayan people preformed sacrifices to the gods (Mainly The Mayan people preformed sacrifices to the gods (Mainly

the Sun god, )the Sun god, )• It was believed that Mayan rulers were the descendants of It was believed that Mayan rulers were the descendants of

gods, their blood was the ideal sacrifice. Either by the gods, their blood was the ideal sacrifice. Either by the sacrifice of captives who had royal blood, or by the personal sacrifice of captives who had royal blood, or by the personal bleeding of the rulers themselves, the Mayan people bleeding of the rulers themselves, the Mayan people pleased the gods. pleased the gods.

LanguageLanguage

• The earliest record of writing for the Mayans dates back to The earliest record of writing for the Mayans dates back to 250 B.C.250 B.C.

• These were the very first scriptures of the Mayan languages, These were the very first scriptures of the Mayan languages, although archeological finds show that the Mayan although archeological finds show that the Mayan civilization may date back to around the year 3000 B.C.civilization may date back to around the year 3000 B.C.

Mathematics Mathematics • The Mayans developed a complex system of numbers made up of dashes and The Mayans developed a complex system of numbers made up of dashes and

dots.dots.• Very much like morse code numbers were made of arranged dashes and dots. Very much like morse code numbers were made of arranged dashes and dots. • The Mayans were also one of very few cultures that understood the concept of The Mayans were also one of very few cultures that understood the concept of

zero.zero.

Resources

• http://library.thinkquest.org/10098/mayan.htm

• http://www.michielb.nl/maya/math.html• http://www.omniglot.com/writing/

mayan.htm• http://www.religionfacts.com/

mayan_religion/index.htm