CHALLENGE 5: MAYA GLYPHS SWBAT DISCOVER AND ANALYZE THE GREATEST MYSTERIES OF THE MAYAN CIVILIZATION

MAYA CIVILIZATION The Mayan were located in the “hook” of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Belize, and parts of Nicaragua. (identified by the red Square on the map!) This area is often called the Yucatan Peninsula. This civilization was established as early as 1500.

CITY OF COPÁN The Mayan worshipped nature, so many of their temples and pyramids Have carvings and statues with the heads of animals.

CITY OF PALENQUE The Mayan developed a system of astronomy, calendars marking the seasons and Agricultural rotation (growth of plants), were skilled potters and weavers, and Loved to study the stars- contributing much to our present day understanding Of he stars and planets.

CITY OF TIKAL The three major cities of the Mayan: Tikal, Copán, and Palenque were Mysteriously abandoned. Researchers estimate that they were abandoned Long before the Spaniards came, so the reason is still unknown. What a mystery!

MAYA MARKET PLACE Every Mayan city has a market place!

MAYA PLAZA Every Mayan city has a plaza!

MAYA PYRAMID Just like the Egyptians, Mayan’s created huge pyramids for their kings!

MAYA TEMPLE

MAYA BALL COURT

A location where many games took place. Mayan games were a play at “war”, And often played till death.

ANCIENT MAYAN PALACE Palaces were built with more than 170 rooms, high ceilings, multiple courtyards and Contained large amounts of jade, obsidian, and pyrite. These precious materials were Used to make the first mirrors!

THE STRUCTURE OF AN ANCIENT PYRAMID

PERSONS WHO STUDY ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS Botanists: study plants and pollen to detect changes in environment over the years. Epigraphers: study hieroglyphs to read their meaning Glyphs: pictures that stand for words Archaeologists: unearth buried buildings, reconstruct cities. Art Historians: study ancient art and architecture to learn the symbols and meanings.

HIEROGLYPHS- LANGUAGE OF THE MAYAN Hieros- means holy Glyphs- means writing So, the Mayan hieroglyphs were “holy writings”. The Mayans wrote both from left to right (like we do) or from right to left (like Asians’ do). They had over 700 symbols! Hieroglyphs were written on papyrus and the paper was folded like a fan. Mayans used ink and sharp reeds to write with, using them as common day pens.

LAST TWO CHALLENGES: 1.Use the PPT to answer the riddles and questions on Quia 2.Write 3 sentences using hieroglyphs. Draw the symbol and then write the sentence in English below it. (*See the example) Example: This morning, I danced with a monkey.