The Maya civilization flourished in Mesoamerica from around 2000 BCE to 1500 CE. They developed advanced cities and a complex written language in southern Mexico and parts of Central America. At its peak during the Classic Period from 300-900 CE, Mayan civilization consisted of independent city-states like Tikal and Copan, with rulers acting as god-kings over a stratified society. Around 900 CE, many Maya cities were mysteriously abandoned, though some continued in the northern Yucatan Peninsula into the Post-Classic period until the arrival of Europeans.

1. TOPIC Chapter 23 History:
Civilizations of the Americas
EQ: Who were the Maya?
Where did they come from?

2. There were 3 civilizations in the
Americas… • Mayans
• Aztecs
• Incas
• They all lived in Central
and South America
• When settled, they
began to farm
• More food, increase in
population
• Increase in trading, use
of different languages

3. First, we will explore the Mayans!
• Civilization lasted 3,
500 years!
– 2000B.C.E. -1500 C.E.
• They lived in S. Mexico
and parts of Central
America
• Ruins of Mayan cities
still exist
– Tikal lies in the
Guatemala jungle and is
1 of 40 Mayan cities

4. • Just as the Roman Empire fell (476 C.E.) in
Western Europe, the Maya were
developing in the Americas
• Mayan civilization spread over
Mesoamerica (modern day Mexico)
– Lived in jungles, forests, rainforests, swamps,
and grasslands

5. Mayans were influenced by:
• Olmec people
– Lived on east coast
of Mexico 1200-500
BCE
– Grew maize as
major food supply
– Farming allowed
them to create
PERMANENT
settlements
– Built temples and
even used solar
(SUN) calendars

6. There were 3 major Mayan periods of
civilization:
#1 – Pre-Classical period (2000 B.C.E. to
300 C.E.
-During this time, Maya farmed land and
lived in simple homes or compounds

7. As the population increased,
• Maya constructed public buildings for gov’t and
religious purposes
• 50 BCE – created form of writing called
hieroglyphics
– Pictures or symbols

8. Mayan civilization reached its peak
during CLASSIC PERIOD 300-900
CE • Adapted/developed
ideas from Olmec
• Though Mayans had no
metal tools or wheels,
built HUGE stone
temples
• Charted movement of
moon, starts, planets
• Used knowledge of
astronomy/math to
create calendars

9. Mayans lived in independent city
states: Tikal, Copan, Chichen Itza,
Palenque
• Mayan society was
structured like a
pyramid
• Rulers of each city-state
was at top
• Ruler (Halach) was like
god king
– He decided when to
do to war, wore
headdress

10. Around 900 CE, Classic Civilization
collapsed!
• Maya abandoned cities
• No one really knows
why
• To the north, on
Yucatan Peninsula,
Mayan cities continued
to grow
• This is POST-Classic
period 900-1500 CE

11. Under the ruler were…
• Nobles and priests
• They were only
Mayans who could
read or write!
• Helped collext taxes,
supplies
• In charge of
archetecture projects
• Led rituals