Transcript Mayan_culture - Etiwanda E

MesoAmericans
Land of the Maya
Inhabited the Yucatan Peninsula
Three Regions
• Southern - steep, rocky mountains
• Central - dense tropical lowlands
• Northern - dry, few rivers, limestone wells
Main Cities
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Tikal
Palenque
Mayapan
Uxmal
Chichen Itza
Copan
Tulum
Classic Period
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c. 300 A.D. to c. 900 A.D.
large, well organized cities
centers for practicing religion
market places
areas of storage
roads
schools
Leaders
• Noble lords ruled over
city-states
• High priests had much
power because of
religious importance
Innovations
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Slash and burn farming
The concept of “0” as a value for nothing
architecture (pyramids)
calendars
measuring time
astronomy
End of the Empire
• The empire mysteriously fell apart.
• There are many theories.
• Mayans left the cities and dwelled in the
jungles.
Spanish Arrive
• By 1500, Mayan
Empire no longer
existed.
• A large population still
inhabited the region.
• Spanish destroy
books, churches, and
art.
Review Questions
What region did the Mayans inhabit?
Who were the two main leaders in
Mayan society?
Name a couple innovations the Mayans
are credited with?
What did the Spanish do to take control
of the area?
Works Cited
• Roth, Peter. Maya: A simulation of Mayan civilization
during the early seventh century. Lakeside, California:
Interaction Publishers, Inc., 1993.
• Schele, Linda. “Rabbit in the Moon.” Rabbit in the Moon.
05-10-99 \ 08-06-02
<http://www.halfmoon.org/inuit.html>.
• Warner Bros.
<http://www.cartoonsounds.com/wbwav1.cfm>.