1. THE AMERICAS
The Maya – Part 2

2. Mayan Achievements: H.A.M.
THE MAYA - achievements
Mayan Achievements: H.A.M.
H= hieroglyphs (a writing system)
Each picture stood for an object and/or a sound. Some hieroglyphs stood for whole ideas, such as life or happiness.
Hieroglyphs were carved on the stone columns and record books called a codex .

3. Mayan Achievements: H.A.M.
THE MAYA - achievements
Mayan Achievements: H.A.M.
A= Astronomy
They knew exact moon phases.
Able to predict sun and moon eclipses.
They created very precise 365 day calendars for harvesting.
They also had a 120 day calendar for religious events.
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4. THE MAYA - achievements
Mayan Achievements: H.A.M.
M= Mathematics
Mayan created a number system. Were the first to use the symbol of zero (binary math)
The number system was based on units of 20.
These symbols are meant to be beans, sticks, and shells.
Let’s go to the
Mayan Math Worksheet and try some!

5. Recreation: The Mayan Ball Game (ōllamaliztli)
THE MAYA - recreation
Recreation: The Mayan Ball Game (ōllamaliztli)
Players tried to hit a solid rubber ball through a stone ring by using their elbows, wrists, and hips.
People from all levels of Mayan society watched and placed bets on the outcome of the game.
Slaves, land and homes could be won and lost during a game.
The losing team were sacrificed and the captain of the defeated team was beheaded.

6. THE MAYA - beauty
The Mayan believed it was important to help a child develop lasting physical beauty traits.
Starting in infancy, parents would begin “beauty treatments” for their children.
As adults, they would continue to seek out new ways to embellish their bodies.

7. THE MAYA - beauty Mayan Beauty Secrets Heavily based in religion.
Ritualized deformity was seen as beautiful.
Crossed eyes – They suspended a pearl between the child’s eyes to force them into being permanently cross-eyed.
Mayan sun god

8. THE MAYA - beauty Mayan Beauty Secrets
Elongated skull – formed by placing the infant skull between 2 boards so the skull would elongate

9. THE MAYA - beauty Mayan Beauty Secrets
Inlaid teeth – holes were drilled in the teeth and precious stones were then set in the holes. No anesthesia was used during the procedure.
Filed teeth – Teeth were filled into “pleasing” shapes.

10. THE MAYA - beauty Mayan Beauty Secrets Tattoos Piercings
Turn to a neighbor and discuss the similarities and differences between Mayan and American beauty standards.

11. THE MAYA – the end The End of the Maya
The collapse of the Classic Mayan civilization is one of the great mysteries.
The Mayan culture thrived for about 600 years.
By 900 C.E., the Maya had abandoned their cities to the jungle.
Possible causes:
Populations of the cities grew too fast for the farming system.
Long periods of drought (dry weather) causing crop failure.
Warfare – wars were very bloody, hand-to-hand fighting with clubs and spears.
Invaders from central Mexico helped to destroy the city-states.
25 Facts