Understanding the Maya Civilization

Stone Writing

• Maya people wrote on paper to tell stories.

• Maya people carved their writing into stones, temples, and monuments.

• Maya people used clay tablets for their writing.

• Maya people painted their stories on walls.

Maya Books

• The Maya made books called codices.

• The Maya used clay tablets for writing.

• The Maya wrote on animal skins.

• The Maya created scrolls from papyrus.

Maya Colors

• Maya artists primarily used colors made from synthetic materials.

• Maya artists' favorite color was red, called Maya Red.

• Maya artists' favorite color was blue-green, called Maya Blue.

• Maya artists used only black and white in their artwork.

What Are Hieroglyphics?

• Hieroglyphics are a type of ancient writing using symbols to represent sounds, words, or ideas.

• Hieroglyphics are a form of modern art that uses colors and shapes to express emotions.

• Hieroglyphics are a type of musical notation used in ancient Egypt.

• Hieroglyphics are a system of numbers used for counting in ancient civilizations.

Who Were the Maya?

• A group of people who lived in ancient Egypt and built pyramids.

• A civilization known for their advanced technology and space exploration.

• People who lived in parts of Mexico and Central America, known for their big cities, pyramids, and temples.

• A nomadic tribe that roamed the plains of North America.

Writing Without Letters

• The Maya used letters similar to the English alphabet.

• The Maya used hieroglyphics — pictures and symbols that showed words or sounds.

• The Maya wrote in a language that is still spoken today.

• The Maya used only numbers for writing.

Who Could Write?

• Everyone could read and write.

• Only scribes and priests learned to write hieroglyphs.

• Only children in schools could write.

• Only the wealthy could afford to learn writing.

The Maya Calendar

• The Maya used hieroglyphs to create calendars for days, months, and gods.

• The Maya calendar was based solely on the lunar cycle.

• The Maya did not use any form of calendar.

• The Maya calendar was only used for religious ceremonies.

Why Writing Matters

• The Maya were one of the first people in the Americas to invent writing!

• Writing was invented by the Aztecs in the Americas.

• The Maya used writing primarily for religious rituals.

• Writing was not important to ancient civilizations.

What Hieroglyphs Tell Us

• They provide insights into the Maya's kings, wars, weather, and celebrations.

• They are only used for decorative purposes in Maya architecture.

• They are primarily concerned with agricultural practices of the Maya.

• They serve as a form of currency in Maya society.