1. SSWH8 The student will
demonstrate an understanding of
the development of societies in
Central and South America
2. Geography
Maya civilization extended throughout the
northern Central American region, including the
present-day nations of Guatemala, Belize,
western Honduras and El Salvador, as well as
the southern Mexican states of Chiapas,
Tabasco, and the Yucatan Peninsula states of
Quintana Roo, Campeche and Yucatan.
Central Maya area consist of rainforests
3.
4. Culture
They would wear a loincloth or short skirt for men and a
huipil or long skirt for women. These outfits would often be
embellished with jewelry.
Corn (maize) was the central food in their diet, along with
vegetables such as beans and squash.
Mayan language had many dialects - Qhuche, Cakchiquel,
Kekchi, and Mam, but the majority of people spoke
spanish.
They developed a hierarchical government ruled by kings
and priests.
writing system, which was often called hieroglyphics was a
combination of phonetic symbols and ideograms.
5.
6. Leadership
The names of Maya rulers are often confusing,
some were from gods, nature, animals, or
supernatural creatures.
Reign of the first named Copan ruler K'inich Yax
K'uk Mo.
7. Religion
Polythesitic
Main Gods were Itzamná; Kukulcán
(Quetzalcóatl); Bolon Tzacab; Chac
They practice Astronomy, divination, human
sacrifice, elaborate burial for royalty, worship in
stone pyramid-temples
8. Military
Weapons used by the Mayans included: the bow
and arrow, blowguns, spears, axes, knives with
blades of volcanic glass, and spear-throwing
slings called atatls
They dressed in elaborate animal-inspired robes
and headdresses; painting one’s body with
religious insignia.
most armor was simply tight-woven cotton, with
shields made of with animal skin, reed matting,
or carved wood.
9. End
The fall of the Maya is one of history’s great
mysteries. There are multiple theories on how
they ended. Early Maya researchers believed
that some catastrophic event may have doomed
the Maya. But there is also the warfare theory,
the civil strife theory, the famine theory, and the
environmental change theory.
Experts in the field simply do not have enough
solid information to state with clear-cut certainty
how the Maya civilization ended.
10. Achievements
Advanced in writing, astronomy, and architecture
They created highly accurate calendars
They were able to track the movements of stars
and planets with striking accuracy
Solar year
Came up with zero
