The Mystery of the MayansMayan Civilization

Mayan City-States

The Mayans settled in Petén, the Mayan word for “flat region”.

This city is present day Guatemala.

The area had swamps and sinkholes which gave them a year-round source of water.

Life in Mayan Cities

The rulers of the Mayan cities claimed they were the descendents of the sun and had the right to rule as “god-kings”.

Mayans believed in human sacrifice. Religion was at the core of Mayan life. A huge pyramid with a temple at the top

towered over every city.

Mayan Inventions

The Mayan priests thought that gods revealed their plans through movements of the sun, moon, and stars. This made them study the heavens closely.

Mayans invented a 365 day calendar for planting, developed a mathematics system, and created a written language.

Where are the Mayans today?

The Mayans disappeared many years ago and it is unclear what happened to their civilization.

http://www.history.com/videos/in-search-of-history-the-disappearance-of-the-maya#in-search-of-history-the-disappearance-of-the-maya