Page 160 - DK Children's Encyclopedia

Maya SEE ALSO

▸ ▸ Art p.28

The Maya people lived in Central America from 1000 bce ▸ ▸ Aztecs p.35
to 1600 ce. They built great cities from stone and farmed ▸ ▸ Farming p.98

maize, beans, and squash. The Maya had many gods, who ▸ ▸ Incas p.132
▸ ▸ Games
they built temples for. They were pp.240–241
skilled mathematicians and ▸ ▸ Religion p.208

developed a calendar.

Mayan gods
The Maya worshipped many different
gods. They believed the gods
controlled the world around them,
including animals and the weather.
Mayan gods
were often
Staircase Temple at shown wearing
leading to the top large hats
the top decorated with
holy symbols.

Chaac was
shown with
the nose
and fangs
Mayan pyramid at Chichén Itzá, Mexico of a snake.
Temples
Many Mayan temples were built on top
of stone pyramids. Priests at the temples Balls of incense
sacrificed animals, sang, and danced to were burned
honor the gods. to honor
the gods.
Mayan sport
The Mayans played a sacred ball game.
Players hit a large rubber ball to different
parts of a court to win points. They could
only use their forearms and hips.

Chaac was the
brother of the sun.
When he cried,
his tears fell
as rain.

Chaac,
the Mayan
rain god

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