The Mayan civilization was located in Mesoamerica, primarily in the Yucatan Peninsula encompassing modern day Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. They had advanced societies with complex social hierarchies, prosperous trade networks, advanced mathematical and astronomical understanding, and magnificent architecture. However, overpopulation and environmental degradation from intensive agriculture is believed to have contributed to the decline of the classical Mayan civilization in the 9th century AD.

1. Mayan Civilization
Created by: Isabel M. Ruby S. and
Asma R.
~Period 2~

2. Geography
The Mayan civilization was located in the Yucatan Peninsula, in the eastern part of
Mesoamerica. This area included Yucatan, Guatemala, and Belize.
Highlands- located in the south,consisted of volcanic mountains, source for metals
and rocks
Lowlands- located in the north, rain forests, savannas, and swamps, land was
mostly used for growing crops
Extreme temperature changes.
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3. Social Structure
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4. Agriculture and Trade
~ In order for the seperate cities to stay
connected, they were linked through trade
and alliances.
~ Agriculture played an important role in the success of their
civilization.
~ They used a slash and burn tecnique where the farmers would burn
all their crops and replant for the next harvest.
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5. Growth and Exchange
~ The Mayans grew many crops such as
cotton squash and an abundance of corn.
They also had luxery items such as plumes
from a scarlet macow and cocao beans, used for money and
chocolate.
~ The Mayans traded with many near by countries, which allowed the
exposure to different cultures and religions. They traded salt, honey,
jade, obsidian (volcanic glass), and textiles.
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6. Religion
believed in many nature gods and believed
they had both a benevolent side and a
malevolent side.
Used human sacrifices to please their gods
Currently use chicken blood as replacement
for human sacrifice
rulers were seen
as half human
half gods
worshiped in stone
pyramid-temples
believed in the afterlife
for their wandering soul
to be in the underworld
and those who are
sacrificed or died in
I.M. birth go to heaven

7. Kinich Ahau
~ One of the many important gods that the Mayans
believed in was Kinich Ahau.
~ He was known as the sun god of the Mayans. He was the celestial
god when the sun was in the sky, and the terrestrial god when the sun
set.
~ He was the patron god of Itzamal and the Mayans believed he
visited every afteroon.
~ He was depicted as both a jaguar and a warrior and wears a symbol
of Kin, which means a Mayan day.
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8. Calendar
Creators of calendars
had sections of lucky and unlucky days to better organize times
for harvesting
Count days by fives rather than consecutively
Solar calendar
consisted of 365
days and a
religious calendar
of 260 days
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9. WritiNg Syst3m
Wrote in hieroglyphics, used pictures as symbols
most Mayan texts can be read, but there are still some
undeciphered glyphs.
Modern scholars agreed that there are only three writing systems
in the ancient world and the Mayan glyphs were one of them.
The system has a
resemblance to
the Egyptian writing,
with a combination
of similar symbols for
different ideas or
words.
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10. Math
Used dots and lines to represent numbers
{Horizontal line representing 5, a dot representing 1, and a shell
representing zero.}
Used number system to calculate their solar calendar and trade
Advanced with astronomy.
Mayans had the closest
prediction of 548 days
orbiting Venus while
the actual calculations
were 583.92.
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11. Legend: 13 Crystal Skulls
a natural stone that comes from the Earth,
therefore we cannot carbon date the crystal. The
origin and manufacturing of the skulls remain
unknown.
According to Mayan Legend, there will come a
time when 13 ancient crystal skulls are reunited
and affect the Earth and its course of humanity.
symbolism could also be
death. Some say that it can
even make wishes come true.
beliefs if not of ownership
of one you don't have peace.
If everyone owned one that
would being the peace
upon the world
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12. Mayan Art
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13. Architecture
The Mayans were very advanced in architecture.
Their buildings were large but they weren't too
tall. Most of them were made of limestone since
it was very abundant.
Their pyramids had temples on top in which priests and
rulers were buried. There were steps on either side of
the pyramids that were wide and steep.
There were murals inside the structures
and carvings on the outside. The carvings
were called friezes. They also carved stela
which were stone statues carved for
historical events.
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14. Decline
~ No one really knows what the cause of the
Mayan's decline.
~ What they do know is that over population
occured as well as over use of land. Therefore
less crops grew each year. This period also
consisted of warfare of the city states. This disrupted their trade.
~ There could have been a possible drout and as a result, there was
movement to a better location.
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15. Decline
~ In the late 800's, the most Mayans abandoned their cities.
~ There were very few cities left, but they managed to servive.
~ Eventually though, the Toltecs attacked the Mayans
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16. Bibliography
Agriculture, Trade and Decline R.S.
1. http://www.chapala.com/particles/july2000maya.html
2. http://www.history.com/topics/maya
3. http://www.allabouthistory.org/mayan-gods.htm
4. http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/mayan-mythology.php?
deity=KINICH-AHAU
5. http://www.crystalinks.com/mayangods.html
Geography and Social Structure A.R.
1. http://www.project-history.blogspot.com/2005/10/mayan-social-classes.
html
2. http://www.mayanindians.com/mayan-landscape.html
3. http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112511/architecture.htm
Religion/ Inventions/ Legend I.M.
1. http://www.religionfacts.com/mayan_religion/index.htm
2. http://www.religioustolerance.org/rel_calendar.htm
3. http://socyberty.com/history/mayan-numerals/
4. http://www.famsi.org/mayawriting/index.html
5. http://www.authenticmaya.com/maya_writing.htm
6. http://www.crystalskulls.com/13-crystal-skulls.html