The Mayans Sarah Decker 4/7/10

The Mayans Mesoamerica

The Mayans Today, Spanish is the primary language in Mesoamerica However, the Mayans used over 20 different languages to communicate They are considered the most culturally dynamic civilization There was no single empire just separate groups with similar cultures and beliefs

The Mayans Pre-Classic Period 2000 B.C.-250 A.D  Pyramids built Classic-Period 250 A.D.-900 A.D.  Height of civilization Post-Classic 900 A.D A.D.  Spanish Conquest

The Mayans The Spanish conquest brought many new diseases which killed many people Trade routes lost due to war Mayans killed for their pagen beliefs and rituals while the Spanish was spreading Christianity

The Mayans Most Mayan hieroglyphics were destroyed by the Spanish 3 different languges remain: Desden, Madrid, and Paris codices The Popol Vuh is the most famous written work about the creation of man and the history of the mayan people. It is not considered scared and was used for rituals and record keeping

The Mayans Polytheist Rulers believed to be semi-divine Sucide, sacrifice, and death during child birth were the only ways thought to get to heaven and everyone else went to underworld Human sacrifices made because they believed that the blood nurshied the gods

The Mayans Itzamna- the creator god (considered most important) Kukulcan- the feathered serpent, also thought to have created earth Bolon Tzacab-god of royal descent Yum Cimil- god of death Ixtab- goddes of suicide Jaguar-symbol of underworld Chac- god of rain and lightning Gukumatz- god of the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water) Kinich Ahau- god of the sun Maize god- god of corn

The Mayans Pubic rituals- dances and theatical performances to bring community together Private rituals- priest using divination thorugh red beans to find the answers to a problem the priest will then give a solution Harvest rituals- preformed every 20 days Birth rituals Spirit rituals- clense someone of evil spirits

The Mayans Mayan calender  Pyramids used as calender  Solar year (365 days-18 months with 20 days)  Sacred year (260 days- days labeled by a combination of 13 numbers and 20 names- which created cycles of different lengths ) Kin (1 day) Uinal (20 days) Tun (18 uinals/360 days) Katun (20 tuns/7,200 days) Baktunbaktun (20 katuns/144,000 days) e=related e=related

The Mayans Today, 6 million Mayans live in Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize They practice Roman Catholcism that incorporates their traditional Mayan relgion They still preform rituals and some gods have been replaced as Saints Devote believers pray still in caves, make scarifices, and follow the 260 day calender