Chapter 22- The Mayas
Chapter Goals:
1. To learn what led to the rise, flourishing, and fall of the Mayan
civilization.
2. To learn about Mayan ways of life.
Vocab:
1. Slash and burn agriculture:
Section 2- The Development of Mayan Civilization
1. Use the index and define Mesoamerica:
2. Which civilization came before the Mayas whose ideas the Mayas built upon?
3. What were two things that the Mayas used from this earlier civilization?
4. On the timeline below, draw three horizontal bars and a label to show the span of years for each of the
three main periods of Mayan civilization: Pre-Classic, Classic, and Post-Classic. Use a different color for
each bar.
5. What were two things the Mayas achieved during the Classic period?
a.
b.
6. True/False- During the height of their empire, the Mayas were a unified civilization
Section 3-Class Structure
Label each level in the pyramid below with the name of the appropriate Mayan social class.
Inside the level for each social class, list at least two details about that group’s duties, work, or lifestyle.
Section 4a.
1. List three things that peasant women/girls did as part of their daily responsibilities:
b.
c.
2. What did men typically do?
3. Choose one of the “special occasions” the children went through that you find most interesting (or the
least boring!), explain what it is and why you chose it.
4. List two differences between Mayan marriage ceremonies and modern ceremonies you might be
familiar with.
Section 5- Religious Beliefs and Practices
1. What did the Mayas believe about their many gods?
2. What was the role of Mayan priests that made them so important to fellow Mayas?
3. What were a few things the Mayas offered to their gods?
4. What could happen to the losing team in pok-a-tok?
5. Give a brief description of each of the Mayan calendars:
Name of calendar
description
Section 6-Agricultural Techniques
1. What were four crops that the Maya grew?
2. List three theories as to why the Mayan civilization came to an end:
3. Which one do you think is most likely? Why?