Mayan Civilization

Mayan Civilization

Beginnings ?

• probably descended form aancint Olmec and zapotecs

• Historical record is blurry at best

• We do know that Mayan civilization goes back to at least 200CE about the time Roman empire was at it's height

Classical Mayan Period

• 250-950CE

• the golden age of Mayan culture

• When the major sites and cities were built and population was at it's peak

• Major Rivalry between powerful city-states

Multiple Select

Which other places had a classical era?

• Roman Empire

• Ancient Greece

• Russia

• America

• West Africa

Post Classical/late Mayan 950-1520CE

• start to see gradual decline like many empires before

• population drops

• cities beginning to empty out

• Spanish invaders move in and wipe out large portions of Mayans who remain

Downfall of the Mayans

• Probably environmental (drought)

• also Invading Spanish played a big role

• gone but never totally wiped out as an ethnic group

• still lots of Mayan folks living in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, etc.

Poll

what do you think (if it ever occurs) will cause Americas downfall?

• environmental problems

• war

• bad government

• economic collapse

Major Achievements

• large scale agricultural economy and trade system

• Complex Calender

• Writing system

• Astronomy

• Jade Jewelry and Stone pyramids