History of the Maya The Maya originated around 3,000 years ago in present-day Guatemala, Honduras, Belize and Mexico. The empire in the south collapsed around 900 AD. No one knows the reason.  But the empire in the north flourished until the Spanish conquests of the 16th century AD.

What the Maya were like They were skilled farmers They created a sophisticated language 1st written language native to the Americas. (see picture on left) They developed a social class system which was well-ordered 

What the Maya were like Mathematicians Astronomers Their number system included the concept of zero – centuries before it was discovered in Asia and Europe! Astronomers They used their mathematical knowledge along with celestial observations (sun, moon, stars) to create a calendar. They used their calendar to create structures to observe and commemorate movements of the moon, the sun, and Venus.

Mayan Calendar Mayans invented a calendar of remarkable accuracy and complexity Used among many Native American groups.

Mayan Calendar The Maya calendar uses three different dating systems in parallel: the Long Count, the Tzolkin (divine calendar), and the Haab (civil calendar). The Haab was the civil calendar of the Mayas. It consisted of 18 "months" of 20 days each, followed by 5 extra days, known as Uayeb. This gives a year length of 365 days.

Chichen Itza Chichen Itza is one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’ What are some other wonders? Were Mayans the only ones who built pyramids? What were those pyramids used for?

Chichen Itza The Pyramid of Kukulkan at Chichén Itzá The pyramid was used as an observatory and a calendar: four stairways, each with 91 steps and a platform at the top, making a total of 365, equivalent to the number of days in a calendar year.

On the equinox, the sun casts a shadow on the steps that looks like a serpent. Serpents were sacred to Mayans.

Chichen Itza Also used as a place for human sacrifice Chichen Itza, like most Mayan centers, was primarily a spiritual, ceremonial site. Mayans came together for offerings, sacrifices, and ceremonies in the town. Exhumed from the sacred well were many ceremonial objects, skulls, and entire skeletons.

Ball Court at Chichen Itza The Mayans were great sportsmen and built huge ball courts to play their games – similar to basketball – where they would throw 13 pound balls through rings in the ball court. The Great Ball court of Chichén Itzá is 545 feet long and 225 feet wide overall and is totally open to the sky.

Ball Court at Chichen Itza Legends say that the winning captain would present his head to the losing captain, who then decapitated him. While this may seem a strange reward, the Mayans believed this to be the ultimate honor. The winning captain would get a direct ticket to heaven instead of going through the 13 steps that the Mayans believed they had to go through in order to reach heaven.

MYSTERIES: A whisper from one end can be heard clearly at the other end 500 feet away. The sound waves are unaffected by wind direction or time of day/night. Lots have tried, but no one can explain how this is possible.

Why is it important for us to understand ancient civilizations? Piensen (Think)… Why is it important for us to understand ancient civilizations? What can they tell us about our own civilization?