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Maya

The Maya lived in Central America and were powerful from

around 250 to 900 CE. They built spectacular cities such as

Palenque, Tikal, and Yaxchilan, and developed a system of

writing that used picture symbols called. GLYPHS.

CALENDAR OF PREDICTIONS 3

Four Mayan codices have

survived. This codex was compiled

between 1300 and 1400 CE.

It contains information that

enabled priests to predict lucky

and unlucky dates.

WHO RULED MAYAN KINGDOMS?

The Maya were divided into city states, constantly at

war with one another, each of which had a ruler, acting

as war-leader, law-maker, and chief priest. After 900 CE

the civilization declined, mainly because their farming

methods led to exhausted fields and failing crops.

WHY DID THE MAYA BUILD PYRAMIDS?

Pyramids were the largest buildings in Mayan cities

and were built as temples and royal tombs. Shrines

where sacrifices were made to the gods were at

the top, while burial chambers were hidden

deep inside. The pyramids were built of

stone, and covered with red-painted

plaster, but this plaster has not survived.

MAYAN GLYPHS

Mayan glyphs were painted on walls and pots, and carved into

pieces of jade and monuments of stone. They were also written

into books called codices, which were made out of long strips of

bark paper that folded up like screens. This complex writing

system was controlled by scribes of very high rank.

WHEN WAS THE RIDDLE OF THE GLYPHS SOLVED?

The study of Mayan hieroglyphs began 200 years ago.

By the 1950s, scholars had worked out the glyphs

for the names of rulers and animals. Then, in 1960,

it became clear that most Mayan inscriptions are

historical. They record important events, such as

the births, marriages and deaths, and the victories

in battle, of the god-like Mayan kings.

Glyphs stood

for names,

objects, or ideas

RAIN GOD 3

This is a statue of Chac, the

Mayan god of rain, who made all

living things grow. According to

myth, Chac broke open a giant

rock to uncover the first

corn (maize) plant.

Steep steps leading

to the shrine on top

of the pyramid

Stairway

(one on each

of four sides)

In his left hand

Chac carries a

ceremonial bowl –

in his right hand

Chac has a ball of

smoking incense

4 PYRAMID OF KUKULCAN

This temple was built in the

city of Chichen Itza between 900

and 1200 CE. It has a total of 365

steps, representing the solar year.

The Maya were skilled

astronomers and mathematicians.

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Maya