Mesoamerica Chapter 11 Lesson 3

Birth of a Civilization Lands of the Maya Maya: Mesoamericans who speak a form of the Mayan language. Maya: Mesoamericans who speak a form of the Mayan language. Maya established villages in highlands and lowlands in 1500 B.C. Maya established villages in highlands and lowlands in 1500 B.C. The highlands were located in today’s southern Guatemala. It was dry and cool and was rich in minerals. The highlands were located in today’s southern Guatemala. It was dry and cool and was rich in minerals. The Yucatan lowlands were hot and dry. The Yucatan lowlands were hot and dry.

Birth of a Civilization Beginnings of the Maya The Mayan society developed along similar lines to that of the Olmec. The Mayan society developed along similar lines to that of the Olmec. Farming thrived, the population increased, and villages grew into cities. Farming thrived, the population increased, and villages grew into cities.

Mayan Life Class Structures A division of labor resulted in a class system with four social classes: - Ruling Class: kings who governed and served as priests - Nobility: scholars, architects, merchants, and warriors. A division of labor resulted in a class system with four social classes: - Ruling Class: kings who governed and served as priests - Nobility: scholars, architects, merchants, and warriors. - Peasants: farmers and laborers were the majority of the population. - Peasants: farmers and laborers were the majority of the population. - Slaves: criminals, war prisoners, and sometimes orphans - Slaves: criminals, war prisoners, and sometimes orphans Stabilility of farming and a food surplus allowed specialization in work. Stabilility of farming and a food surplus allowed specialization in work.

Mayan Life Peasant Farmers Most peasants were farmers living in villages near the cities. Most peasants were farmers living in villages near the cities. Maize was the primary crop. Maize was the primary crop. The Mayans believed they were created from Maize. The Mayans believed they were created from Maize. They used slash and burn farming, irrigation canals, and terrace farming. They used slash and burn farming, irrigation canals, and terrace farming.

Mayan Life The Nobility They lived in stone houses with plaster walls that were often decorated with murals. They lived in stone houses with plaster walls that were often decorated with murals. They wore jewelry, fancy clothes, jaguar skins, and headdresses. They wore jewelry, fancy clothes, jaguar skins, and headdresses. They ate much better than the peasants. They ate much better than the peasants. Only nobles were able to drink chocolate. Only nobles were able to drink chocolate.

Mayan Life Religious Beliefs The Mayans worshipped over 160 gods and goddesses. The Mayans worshipped over 160 gods and goddesses. They believed that ItzamNa was the creator of the world. They believed that ItzamNa was the creator of the world. The Maya fasted, prayed, sacrificed animals, and sometimes sacrificed humans to the gods. The Maya fasted, prayed, sacrificed animals, and sometimes sacrificed humans to the gods. Unlike ancient Egyptians, the Maya viewed the afterlife as an unhappy existence. Unlike ancient Egyptians, the Maya viewed the afterlife as an unhappy existence.

Mayan Life Religious Ceremonies They celebrated with religious festivals and ceremonies that were performed by ruler-priests. They celebrated with religious festivals and ceremonies that were performed by ruler-priests. They had a ball game played as a ceremony to honor Mayan heroes and historical events. They had a ball game played as a ceremony to honor Mayan heroes and historical events.

Glory and Decline Great Cities A.D was the Mayan Classical period, when they built more than 40 cities. A.D was the Mayan Classical period, when they built more than 40 cities. The cities had great architecture: palaces, plazas, ball courts, and pyramids. The cities had great architecture: palaces, plazas, ball courts, and pyramids. Steles: large stone monuments carved with glyphs of dates and events. Steles: large stone monuments carved with glyphs of dates and events.

Glory and Decline Cities and Warfare Separate kings governed each Mayan city. Separate kings governed each Mayan city. They sometimes attacked neighboring cities to gain trade routes and tribute. They sometimes attacked neighboring cities to gain trade routes and tribute.

Glory and Decline Advances in Learning The Maya developed a complex writing system using glyphs. The Maya developed a complex writing system using glyphs. Bark paper was used for codex (a type of book). Bark paper was used for codex (a type of book). Popol Vuh tells the Mayan creation story Popol Vuh tells the Mayan creation story They created a math system based on number 20. They created a math system based on number 20. They were the first people to use zero. They were the first people to use zero. Astronomers charted the orbit of Venus and mathematicians created a calendar. Astronomers charted the orbit of Venus and mathematicians created a calendar. The calendar helped Mayan farming, political planning, and record keeping. The calendar helped Mayan farming, political planning, and record keeping.

Glory and Decline Mysterious Downfall In 800s, the Maya abandoned their southern lowland cities and the population declined. In 800s, the Maya abandoned their southern lowland cities and the population declined. Overfarming may have led to food shortages and a famine. Overfarming may have led to food shortages and a famine. Other reasons may have been disease, warfare, and peasant revolts. Other reasons may have been disease, warfare, and peasant revolts. By 1400, the Mayan cities were abandoned. By 1400, the Mayan cities were abandoned.