Chapter 23 The Maya

Development of Mayan system of hieroglyphic writing Collapse of Classic Mayan civilization

50 BCE

slash-and-burn agriculture

A farming technique in which vegetation is cut away and burned to clear land for growing crops.The ash from the fire was important because it helped to fertilize the crops.

hieroglyphic

A form of writing that uses pictures as symbols.It was adapted by the Olmec.

Olmec

A group of Mayan farmers.Their civilization was based on agriculture.They were the first Mesoamericans to to develop large religious and ceremonial centers.

Mesoamérica

A region that extends from modern-day Mexico through Central America.It is known as Middle America.This region has a nice climate.

observatory

A special place that was built by the Mayans for studying the heavens.The Mayans charted the movements of the moon,stars,and planets.later,they used what they knew about astronomy and math to create a complex and very accurate calendar.

Tikal

An ancient Mayan city.It lies deep in the jungles of Guatemala and is a really advanced civilization because it has big palaces made out of hand-cut lime stones.

How have historians learned about the Mayan religion? What have they learned?

Historians have learned about the Mayan religion by studying present-day Mayan practices,ancient artifacts,and documents written during the Post-Classic period.They have learned that the Mayan religion was polytheistic: they believed in many gods. Scholars learned that people and animals were sacrificed because they gave the gods strength.

What happened to the Mayan civilization?

The Mayan civilization collapsed.Uncontrolled warfare could have caused the Mayan civilization to collapse.Maybe,invaders came from central Mexico and destroyed the Mayan city states.Perhaps,it was a combination of factors that caused the Mayan civilization to collapse.

Who were the Olmec? What were their accomplishments?

The Olmec were Mayan farmers.Their accomplishments were that they established farming villages throughout the region.They also created trade routes that stretched for hundreds of miles.

What agricultural techniques did the Maya use to overcome farming challenges?

The agricultural techniques the Maya used to overcome farming challenges were slash and burn agriculture.

Explain the five levels of the Mayan social pyramid. What was daily life like for most Maya?

The five levels of the Mayan social pyramid were 1 1.rulers:leaders who were considered god-kings everyone has to follow them. 2.nobles and priests: the nobles lead peasant armies and the priests maintained favor with the god however,they were the only people who knew how to read and write 3 merchants and artisans:artisans made many objects and merchants traveled with boats and cars to trade with other city states 4.peasants:people who worked for their masters and were sacrificed when their masters died 5. merchants:people who traveled with boats and cars to trade with other city-states , and 5.slaves:these people were sacrificed when their masters died and performed many tasks for their masters.

Name the present-day countries in the area where the Mayan culture flourished. Describe the landscape of this region.

The present day countries in the area where the Mayan culture flourished are much of Mesoamerica,part of present -day southern Mexico,Belize,most of Guatemala,and in Honduras and El Salvador.The landscape of this region varied greatly.

What were the three periods of Mayan civilization? What were the main characteristics of each period?

The three periods of Mayan civilization were Preclassic ,Classic,and Post classic.The main characteristics of each period were farmers.

What two main calendars were developed and used by the Maya? Why are these calendars important achievements in mathematics and astronomy?

The two main calendars that were developed and used by the Maya were the sacred calendar and the sacred round.These calendars are important achievements in mathematics and astronomy because they helped priests determine the best days to plant,hunt,cure,fight,and perform religious ceremonies.