What is the Maya civilization?
Q: What is the Maya civilization?
A: The Maya civilization was a complex society that lived in Central America, from central Mexico to Honduras, Guatemala, and northern El Salvador. It existed for over 4,000 years and is estimated to have had at least ten million people at its peak.
Q: What did the Maya people eat?
A: The staple foods of the Maya diet were maize, beans, squashes, and chili peppers. They also traded with other people in the Americas for different food items.
Q: When did the first Maya cities develop?
A: The first Maya cities developed around 750 BC.
Q: What type of language did they use?
A: The Maya people used a written language and a numeral system. They also spoke many different Mayan languages including one called Achi language.
Q: How did their priests help them make calendars?
A: Their priests studied stars and planets which helped them make calendars.
Q: When was the peak of the Mayan civilization?
A: The peak of the Mayan civilization was between 420 AD and 900 AD.
Q: How has their culture survived today?
A: Although they were taken over by Conquistadors in 15th century, some of the original Mayan people still live in those areas today and keep old traditions alive through art forms such as Rabinal Achi play which is considered important to this day.
