Social Structure
Who was the most powerful person in Maya society?
The king / Halach Uinic
What was the main crop of the Maya?
Corn (maize)
Where was the Maya civilization located?
Central America and southern Mexico
What shape were many Maya temples?
Pyramids
What natural disaster hurt Maya farming?
Drought
What group performed religious ceremonies?
Priests
What material was commonly used for clothing?
Cotton or plant fibers
What type of climate did the Maya live in?
Tropical climate
What subject did the Maya study by observing the stars?
Astronomy
What often happened between Maya city-states?
Wars
What did most peasants do for work?
Farming
What type of homes did most peasants live in?
Thatched-roof huts
Why were rainforests challenging for the Maya?
Thick forests made farming and travel difficult
What system did the Maya create to record words?
A writing system
What happened when crops failed?
Hunger and starvation
Which group traded goods between cities?
Merchants
Who usually received formal education?
Nobles and priests
What farming problem did droughts cause?
Food shortages/crop failures
What is one famous Maya achievement in math?
The concept of zero/advanced math
How did deforestation hurt the Maya?
Poor soil and less food production
What group had the fewest rights?
Slaves
Name two foods eaten by the Maya.
Corn, beans, squash, fish, turkey, etc.
Name two modern countries where the Maya lived.
Guatemala, Belize, Mexico, Honduras, or El Salvador
Why was the Maya calendar important?
It helped track time, seasons, and ceremonies
What are two reasons the Maya civilization declined?
Warfare, drought, and lack of resources