Mayans

By: Alanis

Mayan Building structures

Mayan Temple

From Manuel Pacheco as found at http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/photo-contest/2011/entries/76125/view/

This is a Mayan temple in Yucatan Mexico. Mayan Temples usually have Steep Bases with stairs on each side and sky roofs. These temples were usually built for religious purposes. Some temples have also been built for astrology.

Palace of the Masks

Image courtesy of Crafty Lady 37 as found at http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5583183826_9e8047b9d8.jpg

The Palace of masks is located in Kabah, Yucatan, Mexico. This Palace is completely covered in masks that represent the rain god, Chac. This Palace also is know as Codz Poop, which means Rolled Matting.

Mayan Pyramid

Image courtesy of Tomas Abreu as found at http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/entries/49424/view/

This Picture was taken in Guatemala. Pyramids were built for two purposes; sacrifices and Sacred Ceremonies. Mayan Pyramids are decorated with beautiful murals. One of the most famous pyramids is the pyramid of the sun. The pyramid of the sun is 210 feet tall.

Tikal

Image courtesy of Canadian Museum of Civilization Coporation as found at http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/maya/mmc02eng.shtml

Tikal was once the largest city in the Mayan classical period and might be the oldest Mayan city. Tikal has nine groups of courts and plazas. In the main religious area temples and palaces covers about 500 acres. The tallest building is a temple that stands at 229 feet tall.

Mayan Ball Court

Image courtesy of Jill K. Robinson as found at http://static.travelmuse.com/docs/artwork/columns/off-beat/coba/off-beat-coba-mayan-ball-court-full.jpg

This picture was taken in Riviera Maya. Mayans played the Mesoamerican ballgame for over 3000 years. This game was played by using a rubber ball (sometimes a skull was used) and trying to get it into the hoop. You could you any part of your body except for your hands These ball courts were not only used for the ballgame, they were also used for musical performances and festivals. A motified game is still played in some populations

Mayan Culture

Mayan Diets

Image courtesy of William Bossen as found at

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/photo-contest/2011/entries/117759/view/

This picture was taken in Guatemala. In ancient Mayan times most of the Mayan's ate corn as the main part of the meal. Corn was also a very important part of their meal. Mayans bent corn ears over when they were ripe so that they can dry and be persevered until the next harvest season.

Ancient Mayan Warrior

Image courtesy of Jesus Oranday as found at http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/photo-contest/2011/entries/106727/view/

This picture was taken in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The Mayans did not use horses or chariots as their weapons instead they used armor that could be used from a distance. Those tools included; bow and arrow, blowgun, spears, axes, knives and atatls (spear throwers). They did not wear helmets but they did have animal skin shields. The chiefs were know for being dressed in animal print ropes and head dresses. They were also known for body painting of religious insignia.

Mayan Calendar

Image courtesy of Melting Plots as found at http://meltingplots.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/mayan2.jpg

The Mayan calendar uses three types of dating systems,: the long count, the divine calendar and the civil calendar. Out of all three only the civil calendar has a direct relationship to the length of 365 days in a year. The civil calendar had 18 months which had 20 days in them and five extra days.

Mayan Doctors

Image courtesy of Jamie Frater as found at http://listverse.com/2009/09/21/top-10-fascinating-facts-about-the-mayans/

Mayan doctors us a blend of mind, body, science, religion, and ritual on their patients. These doctors were called shamans. Shamans practice sorcery and had to have a vast knowledge and skill about things medical related.

Human Sacrifices

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mage Courtesy of Caitie Mathis as found at http://www.visionmagazine.com/archives/0801/mind_states_ancient_maya.html

Mayans worshiped many gods. Some of the many gods they worshiped are the sun god, the rain god, and the corn god. They offered human sacrifices to the gods on pyramids. Even now they still practice human sacrifices in some parts of the world.

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Web. 07 Dec. 2011. <http://traveltips.usatoday.com/mayan-pyramids-1119.html>.

"Tikal." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 7 Dec. 2011

Criscenzo, Jeeni. "What Part Did Agricultural Practices Play in the Growth and Collapse of the Ancient Maya Civilization?" Who Is Jeeni Criscenzo? Web. 07 Dec. 2011. <http://www.criscenzo.com/jaguarsun/farming.html>.

"The Mayan Military (ca. 300-900 AD)." Ancient History Blog. Web. 07 Dec. 2011. <http://ancientstandard.com/2007/03/22/the-mayan-military-ca-300-900-ad/>.

"The Mayan Calendar | Calendars." Webexhibits. Web. 07 Dec. 2011. <http://www.webexhibits.org/calendars/calendar-mayan.html>.

Citation added: "Mayan Religion - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative

Religion - Just the Facts on the World's Religions. Web. 07 Dec. 2011. <http://www.religionfacts.com/mayan_religion/index.htm>.

"Top 10 Fascinating Facts About The Mayans." Top 10 Lists - Listverse. Web. 07 Dec. 2011. <http://listverse.com/2009/09/21/top-10-fascinating-facts-about-the-mayans/>.