What were Maya pyramids used for? As temples for workshop and ceremonies. Who were the last Maya people to be defeated by the Spanish in 1697? The Itza in Guatemala.ģ00 BC – El Mirador, Guatemala – the first Maya city This product is suited for the Maya Key Stage 2 (KS2) Curriculum.Ĭreated with Wildgoose Education, the timeline can be used as a basis for a whole topic as a starter or plenary activity or as a wonderful tool to monitor the progression of pupils’ learning.ĪD 1524-1697 – The Conquest of the Maya by the Spanish. The Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan is as far away from the great Maya site of Tikal as London is from Milan, Italy! Also the Maya civilisation began long before the Aztecs, over 1500 years before!ĭr Diane addresses the myths about the Maya throughout her website, but the best way to start learning about who the Maya are and who they are not is to read her article below:Īn interactive timeline of the Maya including 11 timeline cards highlighting key events in their history, additional questions filled with interesting facts and a 2-piece blank timeline for display. The Aztecs were very different to the Maya, speaking a different language and having a different writing system. One example of this misinformation, is that the Maya are often lumped together with the Aztecs. Hopefully, Dr Diane’s resources on this website will help both teachers and children learn the truth about this fascinating culture. Teachers need as much support as possible in teaching this little-known topic and it is essential that they have access to accurate resources. Today, explorers and archeologists in Mesoamerica are still finding important artifacts in these caves.Introduction The Maya city of Tikal, Guatemala A Word of CautionĪs the Maya have never been taught as a topic before its introduction to the primary history curriculum in 2014, there is much misinformation online and in books about them.

The Maya used caves to bury their dead and conduct their most sacred rituals. To the Maya, caves were the most spiritual places because they were portals to the underworld which they called “Xibalba”. They also believed that every living thing was imbued with a sacred essence. Religion was an important part of their lives. The Maya believed in many different gods. However, the Maya did not use money, but they often used jade, seashells and copper bells as trading items.

Their social and economic structure was varied and it included the nobility, priests, merchants, skilled craftsmen, and laborers. They developed strong economies based on trading partnerships with other cultures and tribes in the region. The Maya grew corn, cacao, maize, squash, beans, cassava, and other crops. The Maya used advanced farming techniques, including underground water storage, irrigation canals, raised plots and terracing. They invented the concept of “zero,” which allowed for more advanced mathematical calculations. The Maya improved the mathematical and calendar systems that were in place at the time. Their language is considered the most sophisticated and advanced language in all of early America. They were fascinated by astronomy and show an advanced knowledge of it in their writing and architecture.Īrchitecture and astronomy were not the only areas where the Maya excelled. Maya temples and palaces were built in ways that allowed them to view and study the constellation. Visiting these ruins today gives you a small glimpse into the detailed mathematical and engineering knowledge that they had. Maya architecture was far more complex and developed than that of the ancient Egyptians. Even today, people who explore Maya ruins are astonished at the construction and engineering skills they used to build their temples, pyramids, and cities. The Maya were the most advanced civilization of their time. The Maya established numerous city-states in what we now call Mesoamerica, most of Guatemala and Belize, and parts of El Salvador and Honduras. The Maya civilization began around 2600 BC and lasted almost 2000 years. The best-known are those at Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, Caracol, and Lamanai. That legacy can be seen today in the many well-preserved Maya ruins that are present in Belize. Belize is located in one of the most important strongholds of this ancient civilization. The history of the Maya is integral to the history of Belize.

Maya civilization timeline