The Mayan civilization, located in Mesoamerica, developed through three periods: Preclassic, Classic, and Postclassic, each marked by advancements in culture, agriculture, and political expansion. Known for their religious practices, architecture, and significant contributions to mathematics and astronomy, the Mayans built impressive cities and established a rich economic system based on agriculture. Their society was structured with a clear hierarchy, including nobility, artisans, and farmers, and they left a legacy through their art, music, and the sacred text, Popol Vuh.

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The Mayan civilization was
developed in the region of
Mesoamerica, including
the southwest of
Mexico, Guatemala and
Belize, and the west of El
Salvador and Honduras.

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4. Preclassic Period ( II b.C. – IV a.C.).
 Also called Formative
Period, because is considered
that in this period was
developed great cultures.
 Developed others activities as
the metallurgy, the ceramic
and the elaboration of textiles.

5. Classic Period (IV a.C. – X a.C.)
 In this period the Mayans reached
their maximum developed.
 The construction of large cities and
the occupation in Guatemala and
Honduras.
 The soil exhaustion forced them to
seek new lands for Arable farming.

6. Postclassic Period ( X a.C. – XIV a.C.)
 Is characterized for the formation
of big empires with politics
expansionist, so they dedicated to
conquering others towns.
 After the Spanish arrived this
culture disappeared mysteriously.

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8. Nobility They were priests, warriors, bureaucrats and
businessmen. He exercised power. It belonged to
her only by birth.
Artisans Elaborated the objects used by the nobility.
Farmers They lived around of the cities and taxed a third
of what they produced.
Slave Prisoners of war who were sold to do work or to be
sacrificed in rituals.

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10.  The base of their economic were
the corn, cotton and cocoa.
 There were no coins for trade only
barter. In ocation used the cacao as
such.
 The maritime transport was very
important in the development of
trade.

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12.  The Mayans had many gods, and each god represents a
natural phenomenon.
 Between the most important Mayan gods are:
• Hunab
• Kukulkán
• Chaak
• Kinch Ahau
• Ah Puch
• Ex Chuah

13.  They made ​sacrifices in honor of
their gods.
 Initially they made sacrifice
with animal but later with
humans.
 The mayans had a holy book, the
Popol Vuh where tell about the
origen of the world, the history
of the gods and the Quiché
towns.

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 The ball game were practice for the
Zapotecas, Toltecs, Aztecs and Mayans.
 The ball game was of ritual character.
The Mayans were those who practiced it
more. All the cities had once court, Each
city had their rules, but the only
difference that had was the numbers of
players and the form of dress up.

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 The game consisted in pass a ball of rubber for a rings
that was located in the highest on the walls of the
stadium.
 For example in Chinchén Itzá was played for two teams
formatted for seven players included the captain.
Something people think when finished the game the
capitain of the loser team was sacrificed. Also during
the game the players can't use their hands and feet, only
the hips, knees, elbows, shoulders and ankles.

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19.  The architecture was of aspect
religious, so the cities
represented ceremonial centers.
Between the most important
was located in Copan, Piedras
Negras, Tikal, Palenque and
Chichen Itza.
 All the cities had two types of
edifications: the Temple and the
Palace. The Temple was
rectangular and was built on
others pyramids. The Palace
was the dwellings of the priests
and officials.

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 The Mayan sculpture is very
varied: gods in different
aptitude and
forms, busts, masks, and
tables.
 The tools that used the
sculptor was a chisel
fabricated of basalt or
diorite. His principal
material was the limestone
similar to the marble. Also
used the clay and the wood
to carve and shape heads.

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 It was very rich and varied
from cups and plates, to
objects of worship.
 The objects were painted
with geometric forms and
also representation of
animals.
 Sometime the decoration
include texts, picture of the
emperor and supernatural
beings.

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 The Mayan music was made in
group.
 The instruments of percussion
was very important.
 In this time not existed
instruments of rope.
 The Mayan music was based in
two types of instruments:
 Wind: whistles, flutes and
snails.
 Percussion: turtle
shells, xylophone,

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 The most important contribution the
Mayan mathematicians was the
creation of the number zero.
 The zero was represented with a
shell. Also was used the point to
represent the numbers 1 to 4 and
finally the rays that had a value of 5.

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 Describing the positions of the Sun, Moon and Mars.
 Known phases of the moon, the lunar year duration
and setting of the solar year.
 They built observatories.
 Prediction of eclipses: August 11, 1999, total solar
eclipse.
 Discovery of the equinoxes and solstices.

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 Determined the causes of
diseases were able to describe
them, classify them according
to their symptoms, cure and
even prevent them.
 They were skillful
dentists, they made prosthesis
of Jade and turquoise.