04 The Maya

THE MAYA

Jungles and volcanoes The Maya are people who have lived in Mexico and Central America for thousands of years. Long ago, they built their homes in jungles and in valleys between steep volcanoes. The jungles were full of animals such as monkeys and jaguars,

Stone cities This is what a Maya city might have looked like around 1,500 years ago. Nobles and rulers lived in palaces. Markets were held in open spaces called plazas: Most people lived in huts with grass roofs.

Maya temples Special courts were built for playing a ball game. The players hit a rubber ball to and fro using only their hips and thighs.

Towering temples Maya temples were built to look like the steep mountains where their gods lived. This ancient temple is in the city of Tikal It was once brightly painted.

Ceremonies were held on a platform at the top of the temple. Priests had to climb up lots of narrow steps. Some rulers were buried deep inside temples. Temples were often built to line up with the Sun or stars.