The Mayan Civilization Range and Name n Maya

Range and Name n Maya is not the word for the people – Maya

Mayan History n The Mayan culture is divided into three periods: – Preclassic –

Preclassic Period n Mayan migration from Yucatan to Guatemalan lowlands – Kukulcan, the founder

Classic Period n The Classic period (c. 250 CE– 900 CE) witnessed the peak

Post Classic Period n After the decline of the Maya, the Post Classic period

Social and Political Structure n n n The Mayan Empire was never one cohesive

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The Mayan Civilization

Range and Name n Maya is not the word for the people – Maya was the word used by the Spanish to describe the people n The Mayan Civilization ranged from Southern Mexico through Northern Honduras – The greatest concentration of people lie in Guatemala, the Yucatan, and Belize

Mayan History n The Mayan culture is divided into three periods: – Preclassic – 600 BC – 250 AD – Classic – 250 AD – 900 AD – Post – Classic – 900 AD – 1600 AD

Preclassic Period n Mayan migration from Yucatan to Guatemalan lowlands – Kukulcan, the founder of the Mayan kingdom moved into Guatemala n Period characterized by sedentary communities with simple construction

Classic Period n The Classic period (c. 250 CE– 900 CE) witnessed the peak of large-scale construction and urbanism, the recording of monumental inscriptions, and a period of significant intellectual and artistic development, particularly in the southern lowland regions – Begun when “Fire is Born” brings the culture of Teotihuacán to the Maya – Period highlighted by massive city-states throughout the Mayan world fighting for control § Tikal, Calakmul, Palenque

Post Classic Period n After the decline of the Maya, the Post Classic period begins n Period is highlighted by a move of major urban centers from Peten, Guatemala (Tikal), Belize, and Southern Mexico to the Northern Yucatan Peninsula (Chichen Itza)

Pre-Classic Period Architecture

Classic Period Architecture

Social and Political Structure n n n The Mayan Empire was never one cohesive empire – Closest the Mayans ever came to a united empire was during the height of Tikal’s power – Rather a collection of various city-states that fought for control (Big city and its suburbs) – Some big cities allied themselves with huge cities hundreds of miles away § Allegiances were sealed with marriages City-States were ruled by a Monarch (King or Queen) – Unlike some other cultures women could rule Ruling power was hereditary (passed from father to son) Under the King was the royal family – Royal family served as the priests Then warriors, then businessmen, then farmers