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Maya• Lands stretched from southern Mexico to northern Central America
• Lowlands (North) – rain forests & dry scrub
• Highlands (South) – cool, mountainous
• Built on Olmec influences
Urban Centers • 250-900 A.D. – Classic Period
• Build spectacular cities – Tikal, Copán, Chichén Itza
• Formed independent city-states– Ruled by god-king– Centers for trade &
religion
• Feature pyramids, temples, elaborate carvings, ball courts
Agriculture & Trade• City-states linked by two
things:– Alliances & Trade
• Trade salt, shells, honey, cotton textiles, jade
• Cacao acts as currency• Diet: Maize, beans, &
squash• Techniques:
– Slash-&-Burn– Raised beds & terraces
Society • Farming & trade = Huge amounts of wealth
• Social classes develop– Nobles: priests &
warriors– Middle: Merchants &
artisans– Bottom: peasants
• Kings on top society– Holy figure,
hereditary
Religion• Polytheistic– Good, evil, or both
• Associated with directions & colors– North (White)– South (Yellow)– East (Red)– West (Black)– Center (Green)
• Worshipped gods through food, flowers, & blood
• Practiced human sacrifice– Victims into a cenote (hole)
w/ gold, jade & offerings– Pleased the gods &
balanced the world
Math & Astronomy • Religion = development of calendars, math, & astronomy
• Calendars very accurate– Days lucky or unlucky b/c
of gods; had to know– Two linked calendars:
• 260 & 365 days
• Based on positioning of the sun, moon, & planets
• Math system based on 20 & included zero = accuracy
Written Language• Most advanced of the ancient Americas
• Consisted of ~800 glyphs (symbols)– Whole words of syllables
• Record writings in a codex
• Famous writings: Popol Vuh– Recounts the Maya story
of creation– P. 448