Maya Civilization GRAPES
You can find this storyboard in the following articles and resources:
Maya, Inca, and Aztec Civilizations
By Liane Hicks
The Maya, Aztec, and Inca Civilizations are often taught in conjunction with each other, though each has their own unique culture and contributions to the world. Engage and educate students with Storyboard That premade activities!
Storyboard Description
Create a GRAPES spider map to illustrate the Maya Civilization
Storyboard Text
- GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES
- NATURAL RESOURCES
- AGRICULTURE
- LOCATION AND TIME PERIODS
- The region the Mayans settled has highlands in the south with warm temperatures year round, a rainy season from April to October, and volcanic rock. The lowlands in the north have a hot, wet climate with a dense tropical forest.
- Some of the natural resources the Maya used were limestone, which was used for construction of temples and buildings, volcanic rock obsidian, which was used for tools and weapons, and salt.
- Maize was the most important crop, as well as beans, squash, tomatoes, chili peppers, cacao (chocolate), and avocados. Mayans also farmed cotton.
- CLOTHING
- The Mayans lived in what is today the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize. The first settlements were as early as 2000 BCE and continued until the Spanish conquest in 1519 CE. However, the Mayan people and their language are still prevalent today!
- CULTURAL PRACTICES
- THE MAYAN CIVILIZATION
- ACHIEVEMENTS
- SOCIAL STRUCTURE
- Nobles and Warriors
- King / High Priest
- Royal Council/Priests
- Mayan men and women generally wore colorful woven textiles such as cotton, which could be dyed various colors and decorated with colorful fringe and feathers. Jewelry was also common and made of precious stones and metals.
- Pok-A-Tok was a game played by the ancient Mayans and was dedicated to the gods. It was a ritual ball game played with a solid rubber ball and heavy pads The object of the game was to knock the ball with any part of the body except the hands through a stone scoring ring.
- Massive pyramids were temples where Mayans made offerings to the gods and were tombs to bury rulers, their partners, their precious belongings, and sacrificial victims. Mayans made advancements painting, sculpture, writing, math, and astronomy, and created a 365 day calendar.
- Kings were at the top of the social pyramid followed by priests and nobles. Religion was very important to the Maya and dictated every aspect of their way of life. Merchants and artisans had a higher social status than farmers and peasants. Enslaved people had no rights.
- Farmers, Servants and Enslaved people
- Merchants, Traders and Artisans
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