Mayan Civilization
Group 4
Learning Objectives:
- Learn about the origins and geography of the
Mayan civilization.
- Understand the daily life, religion, and culture of
the Mayans.
- To explore the significance of their advancements
in science, technology, and society.
- Reflect on the significance of their legacy today.
What is mayan
civilization?
What is mayan civilization?
The Maya civilization was a complex
society that thrived in Mesoamerica,
which is now southern Mexico, Belize,
and Guatemala. The Mayans were
known for their art, architecture, and
writing system, and were one of the
most advanced civilizations in ancient
America.
Brief history of mayan
As
civilization
early as 1500 BCE the Maya had
settled in villages and were practicing
agriculture. The Classic Period of Mayan
culture lasted from about 250 CE until
about 900. At its height, Mayan
civilization consisted of more than 40
cities, each with a population between
5,000 and 50,000.
Brief history of mayan
TheMayans civilization
were influenced by earlier
civilizations, such as the Olmecs, who
introduced ceremonial architecture and
cultural traditions.
They developed independently, creating
city-states that operated with their own
governments, rulers, and economies.
Their society revolved around agriculture,
religion, and astronomy, forming a rich
cultural heritage.
Origins of the Mayan
- Early Civilization
Beginnings (2000 BCE): The Mayans
emerged in the Preclassic Period, influenced by
the Olmecs.
- Classic Period (250–900 CE): This was the peak
of Mayan achievements, marked by the
construction of great cities like Tikal and
Palenque.
- Postclassic Period (900–1500 CE): The Mayans
declined due to drought, warfare, and Spanish
colonization.
Geography
and
Environment
eography and Environment
The Mayan civilization thrived in three distinct
regions:
1. Southern Highlands - Mountainous areas
ideal for agriculture and stone quarrying.
2. Central Lowlands - Fertile lands that hosted
cities like Tikal and Calakmul, surrounded by
dense rainforests.
3. Northern Lowlands - Arid regions with cities
like Chichén Itzá, reliant on cenotes (natural
wells) for water.
eography and Environment
eography and Environment
Environmental Adaptations
They developed advanced irrigation
systems and terracing techniques to
sustain agriculture.
Urban centers were strategically
built near water sources and trade routes.
Mayan Daily
life
Mayan Daily Life
Housing:
- Commoners lived in simple huts made of mud
and thatch.
- Nobles resided in stone houses decorated with
carvings and murals.
Clothing:
- Men wore loincloths, while women wore skirts
and huipils (embroidered blouses).
- Nobles and priests adorned themselves with
elaborate jewelry made from jade, feathers, and
shells.
Gender roles
Gender Roles
Gender Roles
Men - Responsible for hunting, farming,
and warfare.
Women - Handled family duties, weaving,
and food preparation; some held power as
priestesses or queens.
Mayan Society
And
Social Structure
ayan Society and Social Structure
1. King (Ajaw)
- The supreme ruler,
considered divine.
- Responsible for making
decisions on warfare, trade, and
religious ceremonies.
- Conducted rituals and
sacrifices to maintain cosmic
balance.
ayan Society and Social Structure
2. Nobles
- Assisted(Elites)
the king in
governance, military, and
religious affairs.
- Lived in large stone houses,
adorned with jewelry.
- Served as priests, scribes,
and military leaders.
ayan Society and Social Structure
3. Priests
- Conducted religious
ceremonies and sacrifices.
-Experts in astronomy,
mathematics, and writing.
- Predicted celestial
events and interpreted
omens.
ayan Society and Social Structure
4. Artisans and
Craftsmen
- Produced artwork, pottery,
and tools.
- Created ceremonial masks
and decorations for temples.
ayan Society and Social Structure
5. Merchants
- Traders who exchanged
goods like jade, obsidian,
and cacao.
- Facilitated long-distance
trade, strengthening
alliances.
ayan Society and Social Structure
6. Peasants
(Commoners)
- Farmers who grew staple
crops (maize, beans,
squash).
- Built temples and
pyramids.
- Lived in simple thatched
huts.
ayan Society and Social Structure
7. Slaves
- Lowest class, often war
captives or debtors.
- Worked as laborers,
sometimes sacrificed in
rituals.
ayan Society and Social Structure
Community
Family- Life
Basic unit of society, teaching
skills like farming and weaving.
Religious Practices - Central to daily
life, with festivals and rituals honoring the
gods.
ayan Society and Social Structure
The Mayan society was
structured to ensure every
individual had a defined role,
maintaining order and
prosperity.
Religion
and
Mythology
Religion and Mythology
Religion was central to Mayan life,
with rituals designed to appease the gods
and ensure cosmic balance.
Gods and Beliefs
- Kinich Ahau: Sun God.
- Chaac: Rain God.
- Itzamná: God of knowledge and creation.
- Ix Chel: Goddess of fertility and medicine.
Religion and Mythology
Practices
- Bloodletting: Kings and priests performed
bloodletting as an offering.
- Human Sacrifice: Victims were offered to
gods during ceremonies.
- Sacred Texts:
The Popol Vuh, their creation myth,
describes how humans were created from
maize.
Tools
and
inventions
Tools and Inventions
Obsidian
Blades
The Maya used stone tools like obsidian
blades for various purposes, including cutting
and carving.
Tools and Inventions
Sacbeob (White
Roads) The Maya built extensive
raised stone roads, called
sacbeob (singular: sacbe),
which connected cities and
ceremonial centers. These
roads were carefully
constructed with layers of
stone and covered in a white
plaster that reflected light,
allowing them to be used
even at night. The roads
facilitated trade,
communication, and political
integration across their
empire.
Tools and Inventions
Grinding Stones (Manos and
Metates)
These were used for grinding maize (corn)
into flour, an essential process for making
tortillas and other staple foods.
Tools and Inventions
Atlatl
A spear-throwing device used for
hunting and warfare.
Architectura
l
Achievemen
rchitectural Achievements
Pyramids and Temples
Maya pyramids, such as those in Tikal,
Palenque, and Chichén Itzá, were
constructed with remarkable precision.
The pyramids often had steep staircases
leading to temples at the top, where
rituals and ceremonies were performed.
Notable examples include:
rchitectural Achievements
Pyramids and Temples
Temple of the Great Jaguar in Tikal, which
served as a royal tomb and a ceremonial
platform.
rchitectural Achievements
Pyramids and Temples
El Castillo (The Castle) in Chichén Itzá, which
doubles as a calendar. During the equinoxes, the
shadow of the steps creates the illusion of a
serpent slithering down the pyramid.
rchitectural Achievements
Palaces and Ball Courts
The Maya built elaborate palaces for rulers, adorned
with carvings and murals. Ball courts, central to their
culture, were used for playing the Mesoamerican
ballgame, which had religious and political
significance.
rchitectural Achievements
Water Management Systems
In cities like Tikal, where water was scarce, the
Maya built reservoirs and canals to collect and
store rainwater. They also engineered terraces to
prevent soil erosion and maximize agricultural
productivity.
System of
Writing and
Record-Keeping
stem of Writing and Record-Keeping
Hieroglyphic Writing
Their script consisted of over 800 symbols, combining
logograms (representing words) and syllabic signs.
Scribes carved these hieroglyphs on stelae (stone
monuments), codices (folding books), and ceramics.
stem of Writing and Record-Keeping
Codices
The Maya created books made from bark paper or
animal skins, known as codices, to record astronomical
data, rituals, and history. Unfortunately, most were
destroyed by Spanish conquistadors, but four survive
today (e.g., the Dresden Codex).
Advances in
astronomy,
mathematics, and
agriculture
ances in astronomy, mathematics, and agriculture
Astronomy
The Maya meticulously tracked celestial movements,
which were central to their religion and calendar systems.
They accurately predicted solar eclipses and charted the
movements of planets like Venus. Observatories, such as the
Caracol in Chichén Itzá, were designed to align with celestial
events.
ances in astronomy, mathematics, and agriculture
Mathematics
Their base-20
(vigesimal) numerical
system was revolutionary.
They were among the first
civilizations to use the
concept of zero,
represented as a shell
glyph, enabling complex
calculations for astronomy
and architecture.
ances in astronomy, mathematics, and agriculture
Agricultural Techniques
Slash-and-Burn Agriculture:
Clearing forests to grow
crops like maize, beans, and
squash.
Terracing: Building steps
into hillsides to prevent soil
erosion and maximize
arable land.
Irrigation: Constructing
canals and reservoirs to
manage water for farming
Significant
innovations
Significant innovations
Medicine
Maya knowledge included the use of herbal
medicines and surgical techniques.
Significant innovations
Rubber Making
The Mayans
extracted latex from
rubber trees and mixed
it with other materials
to produce rubber,
used for balls and other
objects.
Significant innovations
Calendars
The Mayan calendar was a system of
calendars used by the ancient Mayan
civilization to track time. It was made up of
three calendars: the Tzolkin, the Haab, and
the Long Count.
Significant innovations
The Tzolkin
• A 260-day calendar that
was used for sacred
purposes, such as
religious rituals
• Each day was represented
by a combination of 13
numbers and 20 day
names
• Also known as the "Count
of Days" or "divinatory
calendar"
Significant innovations
The Haab
• A 365-day solar calendar
that was used to track the
planting of crops
• Made up of 18 months of
20 days, plus a 5-day
month called Wayeb
• Also known as the "Vague
year" because it didn't
include leap year
adjustments
Significant innovations
The Long Count
• A calendar that tracked
longer periods of time,
such as the creation of
the world
• Used a base-20 system to
count days
• The starting point for the
Long Count was a
mythological event that
most researchers believe
occurred on August 11,
3114 BC"
Significant innovations
The Mayan calendar was highly
accurate astronomically and was
integrated with Mayan mythology and
religious beliefs. The symbols and
glyphs of the calendar can be seen in
Mayan art and architecture.
Decline of the
Civilization
Decline of the Civilization
Environmental Factors:
Overpopulation, deforestation, and prolonged
droughts led to resource depletion.
Internal Struggles:
Wars between city-states weakened their unity.
Spanish Conquest:
In the 16th century, Spanish colonizers
conquered the remaining Mayan city-states,
ending their civilization.
Mayan
legacy
Mayan Legacy
Modern Descendants:
- Millions of Mayans live in Central America
today, preserving their language and cultural
practices.
Architectural Wonders:
- Sites like Tikal, Copán, and Chichén Itzá attract
scholars and tourists worldwide.
Cultural Influence:
- Mayan innovations in mathematics, astronomy,
and agriculture continue to inspire modern
science and technology.
conclusion
Conclusion
The Mayan civilization stands as one of the
most remarkable achievements of ancient
human history. Their advancements in
astronomy, writing, mathematics, and
architecture reflect a profound understanding of
the world. The Mayans' legacy continues to
inspire and teach us valuable lessons in
resilience, sustainability, and creativity. By
appreciating their innovations and way of life, we
not only honor their contributions but also gain
valuable insights into the lasting impact of
human resourcefulness.
Thank you for Listening
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