s.s 4.0 Flashcards
Location of Maya?
Page 11
Purpose or May temples?
Temples were to worship. Heaven - Gods resided. Three Gods honored by Mayans. Nobles were buried in tombs - those who weren’t Nobles were buried below the floors of relative homes.
Earth was for the living. Mayans believed worshiping God kept them safe. A fine line separated Earth from the underworld.
Demons resided in the underworld. They believed they had to worship properly or demons might be released.
Social Class - what jobs were in each class?
Upper - Nobles, Priests
Middle - Worriers, craftsmen, and traders
Lower - farmers, low-skilled, enslaved people
Religious beliefs?
Mayans are polytheistic - they believe or worship one God.
First to develop the telescope - understand the importance of astronomy?
Mayans developed the science of astronomy. They closely watched the stars to keep track of yearly patterns such as seasons They created the calendars based on the movement of Earth and other plants and the stars. They developed the map of the stars using advanced math. They believed that the movement of the stars and planets were related to the gods.
Method for farming slash and burn what did this do for them?
Farmers used slash and burn farming where trees are cut down, burned, and then new crops are planted in the rich soil in the rotating fields.
Technology used in Maya civilizations - calendar and astronomy
Calendar/Astronomy: They developed the science of astronomy. They watched the stars to keep track of the seasons. They created calendars based on movements of the Earth, other planets and the stars. They developed the telescope and map of stars.
Technology used in Maya civilizations - number system
Number System - Maya mathematics were simple.They used a system of dots and bars to write numbers
Technology used in Maya civilizations - hieroglyphic writing
Hieroglyphics - form of writing Mayans developed. Includes 800 different symbols or pictographs.
Lasting Influences?
Cultural traditions such as sporting events, astronomy, tourists can still view the ancient ruins and artifacts, the Mayan language is still used, descendents of the ancient Mayans still live in Central America.
Mayan Government - City- states
The political structure is known as city/state government. There is no king or ruler- Nobles and priests in each city served as leaders of the city. Each city directed the religious and governmental affairs for the people within the surrounding the city.
Mayan Government - Rulers and Priests
A noble family governed each Maya city-state. The family leader was the ruler of each city-state. Control of the city passed from father to son. Rulers lived in palaces and officials were selected by Nobles or elected to positions. The Mayan ruler shared power with priests. Because priests were believed to talk to the gods they had significant influence on decisions made for the city/state.
Mayan Government- Follow the Rules
City-states have a judicial process. When someone was accused or breaking a rule, evidence was collected for and against the rule breaker. If the evidence showed the rule breaker was guilty they would be punished. Courts decide on the punishment. A punishment for stealing, a thief might be enslaved to the person they stole from.
