~Ancient Civilizations~

The Mayans
Answer Key
Mayan Map Skills
Directions: Locate the area of the Mayan civilization on the map below. Shade in the area
with a colored pencil. Label at least one major city with a dot and its name. Also, label any
natural features (bodies of water, mountains, rivers, etc.) that are around the area.
The Mayan civilization survived in
what today is known as the
Yucatan Peninsula. The main body
of water was the Atlantic Ocean.

Mayan Vocabulary Words

Directions: Write the definition to each vocabulary word. If possible, draw a picture to go
along with your definition.

Important Word

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Definition

Picture (if possible)

corn, an important crop

to the Maya people

Maize

Hieroglyphics

The Maya invented the most advanced

form of writing in the ancient
Americas. They used hieroglyphics.
The Mayas used about 700 symbols or
glyphs. A glyph is a picture or a symbol
used to represent a sound, a word, or
perhaps a syllable.

Peninsula

Chichen Itza

Mayan Calendar

Pictures may vary.

A piece of land surrounded

by water on three sides

Pictures may vary.

groups of people who

share the same ideas

Pictures may vary.

Agricultural method Maya used to clear

the land that may have been poor for
their soil

Pictures may vary.

Civilization

Slash and burn

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The most famous Mayan city,

this was the capital of the second
empire, which lasted from about 1000
to 1450. Its enormous pyramids,
including the giant Castillo pyramid
that houses a jaguar throne,
hold remarkable carvings and
murals. A nearby natural
well was used for human
sacrifices to the rain god.
The Mayan Calendar consists
of three separate corresponding
calendars, the Long Count,
the Tzolkin (divine calendar) and
the Haab (civil calendar). Time
is cyclical in the calendars and a
set number of days must occur before
a new cycle can begin.

Pictures may vary.

Pictures may vary.

Location
Directions: Fill in the table below about the Mayan civilization. Try to include as much
detail as you can.

Important Word

Definition

Continent civilization
is located on

North America

Country/Countries today
where civilization lived

Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras

Important city/cities
of civilization

Copan, Tikal, Palenque, Chichen Itza

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Overall landscape of
civilization (mountains,
rivers, lakes, etc.)

Tropical rainforest; mountains

Understanding the Disappearance of Mayan Civilization

Theory + 2 details
Warfare:
- Not as peaceful of people as once
thought; evidence that they had
enemies.
- built walls to protect
and writings about
conquest
Disease:
- Insect virus infected their food:
maize
- yellow fever spread from Howler
monkeys

Environmental Change:
- Extreme drought from year 660
1000. Very dry weather caused crops
to fail.
- when crops failed, Maya lost belief in
their rulers and gods and this could
have caused wars

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Picture with Caption

Pictures may vary.

Pictures may vary.

Pictures may vary.