THE MAYAN PEOPLE

The ancient Maya established their cities in the rainforest, played games that wenton for days, and are famous for their knowledge of the stars.  The idea of time fascinated them.

They chewed gum, filed their teeth and raised bees without stingers.

Like the Egyptians, they built pyramids, often elaborately adorned with murals and elaborate architectural details.

Scholars agree the Maya were the most advanced of all ancient Mesoamerican cultures The Maya originated in Yucatan in Mexico, the area around the resort beach city of Cancun is today.

 They developed astronomy, calendar systems and writing. They built elaborate pyramids and observatories, all without metal tools.  They were highly skilled as potters and weavers Their centers began to decline around AD 900, for reasons still unknown. Some of the centers continued until the Spanish arrived in the 16th century.

The Maya had a social structure that was very precise. The kings and priests were very rich and they were the most important. Then there were kings' advisors and the regular priests. Next there were the merchants. At the bottom of the list were the men and women peasants who were generally poor and not very important at all.

The Maya were pretty normal people from the point of view of their daily life. Most men went to work in the fields and most women sold goods at the market or stayed home to take care of their children.