Welcome to Our Medieval to the Renaissance: Elementary History Homeschool Course

Course Sample for Medieval to the Renaissance: Elementary History Homeschool Course

Week One: Mayan Civilization

Objective: to learn the history, development, and disappearance of the Mayan people

Lesson 1: Overview of Mayan Civilization

Before the Spanish conquered Central America in the 1500s, the Central American area was known as Mesoamerica. One of the biggest groups of people living there were the Mayan people. Most of the people in this area were scattered groups, but the Mayans were mostly together in one region.

The Mayan territory included all the Yucatan peninsula, modern-day Guatemala, modern-day Belize, the western part of Honduras and El Salvador, and parts of the Mexican states of Tabasco and Chiapas. The concentration of the empire helped it remain relatively secure from invasion from other Mesoamerica peoples.

The Mayan civilization was one of the dominant societies in the Mesoamerica region. They developed accurate calendars and made advancements in mathematics and astronomy. They produced great art, sculptures, and architecture. They were among the first people in the western hemisphere to develop an advanced form of written language.

As we study the Mayan people, we find that we can break down their civilization into three different time periods. Each of these time periods represents different stages of development for them as a people. The early Mayans were primarily small farming villages. The middle time period shows the Mayans developing cities and structured government. The last time period for the Mayans happened after they abandoned their cities in the lowlands and moved.

Around 900 AD, the strong Mayan cities in the lowlands were abandoned. No one knows for sure why the Mayans left these cities.

Activity

Research and discover the area of the Mayan empire. Shade in the areas on the map that were part of the Mayan empire.