Maya Unit Introduction: The ancient Maya had a highly structured civilization that prospered in southern Mexico and Central Mexico around the year 1000 AD until the 1500s when they were discovered, conquered and almost totally destroyed by the invading Spanish. Prior to the 1500s, they had one of the most advanced Native American civilizations in the western hemisphere. Without metal tools, they erected great stone pyramids and temples. They carved beautiful stone sculptures and painted elaborate murals. They recorded their history in hieroglyphs and experienced achievements with astronomy, mathematics and contemporary calendars and almanacs. Unlike many highly developed civilizations, they did not totally vanish. Today, the modern Maya comprise large segments of Mexico and Guatemala. They continue to speak their ancient language and in some cases worship the ancient gods among the ruins of pyramids and temples. Their civilization leaves us with several enduring questions: 1. What elements were in place that allowed the Maya to flourish for more than six hundred years? 2. What factors might have contributed to their eventual collapse? 3. Could the Maya have done something to avoid the collapse of their civilization? Assignment: You have each been assigned to a specific group that addresses the following elements of Maya civilization: 1. cultural history 2. material culture 3. intellectual culture and 4. societal development. Each group must research four/five areas within the group framework. After researching your areas, you must do the following: 1. Take notes in Noodletools.com and share the notes with Mrs. Rajen. 2. Cite at least two (2) books and two (2) Internet sites concerning your area. 3. Correctly cite all of your sources using the Noodletools.com. Bibliography. 4. Write a single-spaced, full sentence outline that provides information concerning your research findings, using your Noodletools notes. 5. Prepare a PowerPoint presentation that incorporates the key findings of your research. 7. Deliver an eight (8) minute four person/group presentation (2 min/person) to the class.
Syllabus Friday, Dec. 13 (library): Begin research using Noodletools.com to create notecards. Monday, Dec. 16 (library): Research print and online materials for information. Tuesday, Dec. 17 (library): Continue researching print and online materials for information Wednesday, Dec. 18 (library): Note-cards, including appropriate citations/bibliography due by 1 st period to Mrs. Rajen work on outline Thursday, Dec. 19 (library) Drop-day come to the library if you have free time and get a pass from Study Hall. Friday, December 20 (library): Complete full sentence outline and give to Mrs. Rajen. Gather with group to plan and complete an 8 minute presentation. Wednesday, Jan. 8 (in-class): Deliver group presentation to classmates. Thursday, Jan. 9 (in-class): Deliver group presentation to classmates. Research Hints Step 1. Underline or highlight the key search terms in your assignment. Step 2. Use the search terms to find an overview of the topic that explains the who, what, where, when, why, etc. Step 3. Continue to use the search terms to search the indexes and table of contents of relevant books on the cart. Step 4. Click on Eagle Eyes and type in the keyword <rajen> for a listing of appropriate web sites.
Group 1 Cultural History Maya civilization cannot be seen as an isolated development. Beyond sharing common roots in language and tradition, the ancient Maya were very much a part of a larger cultural area, one that has come to be known as Mesoamerica. 1. Where are the ancient ruins of the Maya civilization found? As far as we know, to what extent are peoples still speaking the Mayan language? Creation of maps is necessary for this question. Books: El Salvador by Bachelis; The Ancient Maya by Sharer, et al.; Handbook to Life in the Ancient Maya World by Foster 2. Maya civilization was not the first to develop in Mesoamerica. The Olmecs also developed an advanced society which went on to influence the later growth of Maya society. Research the Olmecs, including following information about their civilization: a. When did Olmec civilization flourish? b. Where did the Olmecs live? Find a map showing the spread of Olmec culture. c. What was the significance of the jaguar in Olmec culture and religion? Books: A Brief History of Central America by Foster, et. al.; Great Ages of Man, A History of the World s Culture by Leonard; Handbook to Life in the Ancient Maya World by Foster; The Ancient American World by Fash; Empire of the Maya by Rubalcaba; Olmec Art of Ancient Mexico; The Encyclopedia of Ancient Civilizations by Cotterell; The Ancient Americas by Bray; America s First Civilization: Discovering the Olmec by Coe; Mexico: From The Olmecs To The Aztecs by Coe and Koontz 3. Another of the Maya s predecessors were the Zapotecs. Find out the following information about the Zapotecs and their civilization. a. When did Zapotec civilization flourish? b. Where did the Zapotecs live? c. Describe the Zapotecs creation of the first true urban center and explain how it influenced the later development of Maya cities and city-states. Books: Great Ages of Man, A History of the World s Culture by Leonard; The Ancient Americas by Bray; America s First Civilization: Discovering the Olmec by Coe; The Ancient American World by Fash; Mexico: From The Olmecs To The Aztecs by Coe and Koontz; Zapotec Civilization by Marcus and Flannery 4. The ancient Maya government was a theocracy where the king was also the head priest. Explain the king s role as a bridge between the human and supernatural worlds. What were some of the most important rituals led by rulers/priests? Be sure to mention bloodletting and human sacrifice rituals. Also, research the many deities worshiped by the Maya and explain how these gods & goddesses directly related to important aspects of every day Maya life. Explain the religious reasons for these ritual sacrifices. Books: The Ancient Maya by Sharer, et. al.; Empires of the Maya by Rubalcaba, Handbook to Life in the Ancient Maya World by Foster; Aztec, Inca & Maya by Elizabeth Baquedano; Ancient Maya: Archaeology Unlocks the Secrets of the Maya s Past; Lords of Creation by Virginia M. Fields and Dorie Reents-Budet; The Song of the Quail by Karen; The Riddle and Discovery of a Lost Civilization by Gallenkamp; The Mystery of the Ancient Maya by Meyer and Gallenkamp
5. The Olmec preceded the Maya and were known for a unique style of art and sculpture. Describe some of their artwork and be sure to mention their creation of colossal stone heads and jade masks. Explain how the jaguar motif influenced Maya art. What was the significance of the jaguar in Mayan culture? Books: Olmec Art of Ancient Mexico; America s First Civilization Discovering the Olmec by Coe; Empire of the Maya by Rubalcaba; The Ancient Americas by Bray Group 2 Material Culture The knowledge of the ancient Maya society rests upon inferences drawn from the artifacts of past activity. Specifically, archaeological sites that have been unearthed have provided the only evidence upon which many ideas have been reported. 1. The Maya created complex cities using designs and buildings that served very clear and significant functions in their daily life. What were some key areas or structures in Maya cities and what were their functions? What types of buildings were usually located near each other? Find a picture illustrating a typical Maya city s layout. Be sure to discuss the plaza, the ball court, pyramids and temples in your answer. Books: Lost Kingdoms of the Maya by Stuart; Handbook to Life in the Ancient Maya World by Foster; Empires of the Maya by Rubalcaba; A Brief History of Central America by Foster; Aztecs, Inca, and Maya by Elizabeth Baquedano; Maya by Schmidt, et al. 2. Using archeological research, we have learned a great deal about the details of Maya architecture. Find the following information about Maya architecture: a. What materials did the Maya use to create their buildings? b. The Maya are famous for their unique pyramids. What makes the design of Maya pyramids different from other well-known pyramids (such as those in Egypt)? Be sure to mention stairways and their decorations. Find an image of a well-known Maya pyramid and explain its functions. Books: Let s Travel in Mexico; Monuments of Civilization by Ivanoff; The Mayans, Illustrated Historical Profile; Pyramids by George; Handbook to Life in the Ancient Maya World by Foster 3. What do the ceramics/pottery that have been discovered at various archaeological sites tell us about the Mayan people? Books: Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya by Miller; Mexico: A History of Art by Smith; Art Treasures From Ancient Mexico: Journey to the Land of the Gods; Aztecs, Inca, and Maya by Elizabeth Baquedano 4. Many arts and crafts artifacts have not survived, but those that have reveal important information about the ancient Maya civilization. Identify some the materials used, purpose of the artifacts discovered, and what those artifacts reveal about the high development Maya civilization or individual city-states as a whole. Books: Cultures of the World: El Salvador; The Ancient Maya by Sharer; Empires of the Maya by Rubalcaba; The Ancient Maya by Perl; Aztecs, Inca, and Maya by Elizabeth Baquedano; Handbook to Life in the Ancient Maya World by Foster
Group 3 Intellectual Culture Every civilization develops ideas that provide order and rule and explains life s mysteries. Evidence of a distinct culture can be found in such elements as a civilization s written and oral language, their calendar, system of mathematics, and religious rites and ceremonies. Your group needs to provide information about Maya intellectual culture that sheds light on how the Maya dealt with problems and concerns that were larger than the daily struggle for food, clothing, and shelter. 1. Research the language and writing of the Maya. Who was Bishop de Landa and how did he affect Maya intellectual culture? Also, be sure to mention the Popol Vuh. Books: Everyday Life of the Maya by Whitlock; Maya Script by Longhena; Secrets in Stone by Coulter; and The Ancient American World by Fash; Song of the Quail by Ruth Karen; Great Ages of Man Ancient America by Leonard; The Ancient Maya by Perl; Empires of the Maya by Rubalcaba; Popol Vuh trans. Dennis Tedlock; Popol Vuh: A Sacred Book of the Maya by Victor Montejo 2. Research the Maya s calendars and their form of mathematics. Explain the Maya s two calendar cycles. What purpose did each calendar serve? Why is their mathematics system considered to be one of the most advanced among ancient civilizations? Books: The Story of Clocks and Calendars: Marking a Millenium by Betsy Maestro; Everyday Life of the Maya by Ralph Whitlock; Ancient Mysteries by Peter James and Nick Thorpe; Lords of Creation by Virginia M. Fields and Dorie Reents-Budet; Great Ages of Man Ancient America by Leonard; Empires of the Maya by Rubalcaba; Handbook to Life in the Ancient Maya World by Foster; The Mystery of the Ancient Maya by Meyer & Gallenkamp; The Ancient Maya by Sharer, et al.; The World s Last Mysteries 3. Research the Maya s extensive knowledge of astronomy and practice of astrology. How did astronomy affect the design of the pyramids? What are some ways that astronomy and astrology were incorporated into religious rituals? Books: The Mystery of the Ancient Maya by Meyer & Gallenkamp; Empires of the Maya by Rubalcaba; Everyday Life of the Maya by Ralph Whitlock; The Ancient Maya by Sharer, et al.; Handbook to Life in the Ancient Maya World by Foster; Ancient Mysteries by Peter James and Nick Thorpe;Pyramids by George; The Story of Clocks and Calendars: Marking a Millenium by Betsy Maestro; The World s Last Mysteries 4. Research what were some of the possible causes for the decline and eventual fall of the Maya s Empire. Be sure to include the Spanish conquest. Books: Ancient Mysteries by Peter James and Nick Thorpe; Lost Kingdoms of the Maya by Gene S. Stuart and George E. Stuart; The Ancient Americas by Earl H. Swanson et. al; Empires of the Maya by Rubalcaba; The Mystery of the Ancient Maya by Meyer & Gallenkamp; The Ancient American World by Fash
Group 4 Society The Maya s social, agricultural, and political organization is an indication of a highly developed society. Your group needs to provide information about how Maya society was organized so that they had food beyond a subsistence level, had time to enjoy games, trade with neighboring Maya city-states, and unfortunately wage war against them. 1. Research how the Maya provided food for themselves. Describe important crops they grew, such as beans, maize, and squash, and mention the ingredients for a specific Maya dish. Explain their farming and irrigation methods as well. Books: Everyday Life of the Maya by Ralph Whitlock; The Riddle and Discovery of a Lost Civilization Maya by Gallenkamp; The Mystery of the Ancient Maya by Meyer & Gallenkamp; Handbook to Life in the Ancient Maya World by Foster; Empires of the Maya by Rubalcaba 2. Research how the ancient Maya society was organized. Were there distinct classes of peoples with different rights and privileges? Books: The Riddle and Rediscovery of a Lost Civilization Maya by Gallenkamp; Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya by Mary Miller and Simon Martin; Empires of the Maya by Rubalcaba; Everyday Life of the Maya by Ralph Whitlock; Song of the Quail by Ruth Karen 3. Research the daily life of the Maya. How did they spend their time? What type of arts flourished? How did they dress, wear their hair, etc.? What games did they play? What kind of rituals surrounded marriage, puberty, and death? Be sure to mention the ball court and the political and religious significance of the game played there. Books: Song of the Quail by Ruth Karen; Aztec, Inca & Maya by Elizabeth Baquedano; Everyday Life of the Maya by Ralph Whitlock; Empires of the Maya by Rubalcaba; The Ancient Maya by Perl; The Ancient Maya by Sharer, et. al.; The Mystery of the Ancient Maya by Meyer & Gallenkamp 4. Research how the Maya developed their economy by a system of trade and tribute. Describe the importance of trade in the development and functioning of the Maya city-states. Books: Aztec, Inca and Maya by Elizabeth Baquedano; Everyday Life of the Maya by Ralph Whitlock; The Ancient Maya by Perl; Empires of the Maya by Rubalcaba; A Brief History of Central America by Foster 5. Various archaeologists have found evidence that the Maya city-states often waged war against each other. Describe Maya weapons and armor. What reasons usually motivated Maya city-states to fight each other? Be sure to mention the role of enemy captives in Maya society. How would frequent wars negatively affect the economies of the city-states involved? Books: Ancient Mysteries by Peter James and Nick Thorpe; The Mystery of the Ancient Maya by Meyer & Gallenkamp; Song of the Quail by Ruth Karen; Empires of the Maya by Rubalcaba; Handbook to Life in the Ancient Maya World by Foster; The Ancient American World by Fash Prepared by K. Craver and L. Lennon 12/2009; updated by K. Craver 11/2013