The document discusses the Maya civilization and why it declined. It provides context about Maya cities and maps of the cities of Palenque and Copan. The Maya lived in independent city-states that served as religious and cultural centers. Around 900 AD, the Maya mysteriously abandoned their great city-states. Archeological evidence such as houses, monuments, bones, and botanical remains can provide clues about whether the Maya left their cities slowly or suddenly and why they declined.

1. Bellringer
1. Do you think the United States will still be a
country in 200 years? EXPLAIN
2. . If someone looked through your household’s
trash, what do you think they would say about
your eating habits?

2. #3 on your BR
OPTIC:
Climates of Mexico
Source: Mexican government

3. Notes title today:
How did the Maya live and why did they
disappear?

4. Mayan cities
• Independent city states
• Religious and culture centers

5. Palenque

6. Palenque

7. Palenque

8. With partner
1. Based the political
features, identify
two Mayan
cultural norms.
2. Why do you
suppose the Maya
chose this place to
build Palenque?
3. Predict what the
other buildings
might have been
on the right side
of the map.
Support your
answer with
something else
from the map.

9. With partner
1. Based the
political features,
identify two
Mayan cultural
norms.
2. Why do you
suppose the
Maya chose this
place to build
Palenque?
3. Predict what the
other buildings
might have been
on the right side
of the map.
Support your
answer with
something else
from the map.

10. Around 900 AD. Mayans just left their
great city states

11. Copan, Honduras

12. Copan, Honduras

13. Copan, Honduras

14. Copan, Honduras

15. Today’s prompt:
Why did the Maya leave their city states?
Did they leave quickly or slowly?
• 5 readings
• Collect evidence of what archeologists found
• Take notes:
• Reading Evidence Evidence
• Houses
• Monuments
• Bones
• People
• Botany
Slow or
Fast?
Why or When
they left