Key Terms Mayas Farming Techniques of the Mayas Religious beliefs of the Mayas Class Hierarchy of the Mayas Accomplishments of the Mayas Coach Smith
Jan 18, 2016
Key Terms
Mayas
Farming Techniques of the Mayas
Religious beliefs of the Mayas
Class Hierarchy of the Mayas
Accomplishments of the Mayas
Coach Smith
Coach Smith
TheMayaslivedin
southernMexico
and Guatemala.
The Mayas
From about 250 A.D., the Mayas built a civilization in present-day Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Mexico.
The Mayas developed an advanced civilization in Central America.
Coach Smith
Coach Smith
Underdifficult
geographiccircumstances,
the Mayasfarmed
successfullyand builtbeautiful
cities.
Agriculture
The Mayas drained swamps to farm.
The Mayas erected platforms for farming in the rain forest.
The Mayas irrigated their fields of corn, beans, and other plants to produce agricultural surpluses.
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Coach Smith
It was difficult land to farm on but Mayanfarming techniques produced agricultural
surpluses.
Religion
The Mayas were polytheists. They believed in many gods.
A large temple pyramid stood in the middle of every Mayan city.
Cities were religious centers.
Coach Smith
Coach Smith
The Mayas lived in city-states. Thecity-states never united. A large
temple pyramid stood in themiddle of each city.
Trade
The Mayas traded extensively.
Traders sold salt, honey, cotton, bird feathers, food, and slaves.
The Mayas profited greatly from trade.
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Coach Smith
Tradewasvery
importantto the Mayas.
The Class Hierarchy The Mayas divided themselves into
three groups.
Rulers were the most powerful members of society followed by warriors and priests.
Artisans, merchants, peasants, and slaves were the least powerful members of society.
Coach Smith
Coach Smith
The Mayas invented a calendar.
Accomplishments
The Mayas invented a calendar.
The Mayas invented a mathematical system based on the number 20.
The Mayas studied astronomy and built pyramids.
Coach Smith
Questions for Reflection:
Who were the Mayas and where did they live?
Why is it surprising that the Mayas produced agricultural surpluses?
Why did the Mayas build pyramids? What did the Mayas trade? List several accomplishments of the
Mayas.
Coach Smith