The Mayans

Sarah Decker

4/7/10

The MayansMesoamerica

http://www.uni-graz.at/exp8www/PhysiCult/mesoam-foto.htm

The Mayans Today, Spanish is the primary language in

Mesoamerica However, the Mayans used over 20

different languages to communicate They are considered the most culturally

dynamic civilization There was no single empire just separate

groups with similar cultures and beliefs

The Mayans Pre-Classic Period 2000 B.C.-250 A.D

Pyramids built

Classic-Period 250 A.D.-900 A.D. Height of civilization

Post-Classic 900 A.D.-1500 A.D. Spanish Conquest

The Mayans The Spanish conquest brought many new

diseases which killed many people Trade routes lost due to war Mayans killed for their pagen beliefs and

rituals while the Spanish was spreading Christianity

The Mayans Most Mayan hieroglyphics were destroyed by the Spanish

3 different languges remain: Desden, Madrid, and Paris codices

The Popol Vuh is the most famous written work about the creation of man and the history of the mayan people. It is not considered scared and was used for rituals and record keeping

The Mayans Polytheist Rulers believed to be semi-divine Sucide, sacrifice, and death during child

birth were the only ways thought to get to heaven and everyone else went to underworld

Human sacrifices made because they believed that the blood nurshied the gods

The Mayans Itzamna- the creator god (considered most important)

Kukulcan- the feathered serpent, also thought to have created earth

Bolon Tzacab-god of royal descent

Yum Cimil- god of death

Ixtab- goddes of suicide

Jaguar-symbol of underworld

Chac- god of rain and lightning

Gukumatz- god of the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water)

Kinich Ahau- god of the sun

Maize god- god of corn

The Mayans Pubic rituals- dances and theatical

performances to bring community together Private rituals- priest using divination

thorugh red beans to find the answers to a problem the priest will then give a solution

Harvest rituals- preformed every 20 days Birth rituals Spirit rituals- clense someone of evil spirits

The Mayans Mayan calender

Pyramids used as calender Solar year (365 days-18 months with 20 days) Sacred year (260 days- days labeled by a

combination of 13 numbers and 20 names-which created cycles of different lengths)

Kin (1 day) Uinal (20 days) Tun (18 uinals/360 days) Katun (20 tuns/7,200 days) Baktunbaktun (20 katuns/144,000 days) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aPNcUJuiLY&featur

e=related

The Mayans Today, 6 million Mayans live in Mexico,

Guatemala, and Belize They practice Roman Catholcism that

incorporates their traditional Mayan relgion They still preform rituals and some gods

have been replaced as Saints Devote believers pray still in caves, make

scarifices, and follow the 260 day calender