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MYSTERIES OF THE mayaN

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WHO WERE THE MAYAN?

The Maya civilization thrived in Mesoamerica, encompassing the Yucatan Peninsula and several modern-day Central American countries.

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The Maya civilization was a diverse culture that was innovative and creative and was one of the ancient societies that invented many modern-day conveniences such as their own Mayan calendar. Click Continue to read more about the ancient mysteries of the Maya Civilization!

Who were the mayan?

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The Pre-Classic and Classic periods were characterized by significant advancements in city-building, mathematics, astronomy, and hieroglyphics. Click Continue

INNOVATION

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They were skilled in weaving and pottery and constructed impressive cities with stone pyramids, temples, palaces, and observatories without the use of metal tools. Human labor was the primary force behind Maya construction projects. The Maya organized large workforces that included skilled artisans, laborers, and planners, who worked collectively on large building projects. The lack of domesticated animals meant that all materials were moved manually or with the aid of simple wooden or stone devices. Click Continue

CREATIVITY

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Most notably, they developed the concept of zero, crucial for their astronomy and calendar calculations. Their enduring legacy continues to influence the modern world through their rich cultural heritage and knowledge. Click Continue

THE MAYAN CALENDAR

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The Mayans were a highly advanced civilization known for their?

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ASTRONOMY

PSYCHIC POWERS

ARCHITECTURAL COLUMNS

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The Mayans were a highly advanced civilization known for their art, architecture, mathematics, and astronomy.

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IN MEXICO CITY

Yucatan Peninsula & CENTRAL AMERICA

ONLY IN BELIZE

The Maya civilization thrived in?

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The Maya civilization thrived in Mesoamerica, encompassing the Yucatan Peninsula and several modern-day Central American countries.

Correct!

MANPOWER

METAL TOOLS

HORSES

wHAT TYPES OF TOOLS DID THE MAYANS USE TO CONSTRUCT THE pyramids, temples, AND palaces?

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They were skilled in weaving and pottery and constructed impressive cities with stone pyramids, temples, palaces, and observatories without the use of metal tools OR ANIMALS.

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MYAN CULTURE

What was it like to live in the Mayan Culture?

THE SACRED TREE & HUMAN SACRIFICE

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The Ceiba tree holds profound significance in Mayan culture as a vital symbol in their spiritual and everyday lives. Revered as the sacred World Tree or axis mundi, the Ceiba tree is a central axis that unites the heavens, the earth, and the underworld. Its roots extend into the underworld, its trunk represents the earthly realm, and its branches reach the sky, symbolizing a bridge between different worlds. Click Continue to enter the Mayan Escape Room and learn more about the ancient mysteries of the Mayan Culture!

The sacred CEIBA tree

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Human sacrifices were a part of Mayan rituals and religious practices, much like several other Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Aztecs and the Incas.Click Continue

HUMAN SACRIFICE

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The Maya believed such sacrifices would appease their gods, ensure prosperity, good harvests, and rain, and sanctify essential events such as the ascension of a new king or the dedication of a new temple or building. Unfortunately, some of these sacrifices involved human slavery. Slaves, war captives, and sometimes voluntary members of the community were chosen as offerings. Click Continue

HUMAN slavery

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One aspect of Mayan sacrifice was associated with the Mesoamerican ballgame. The ritual game was sometimes concluded with the sacrifice of one or more of the game's participants, often captives or enslaved people who played it as part of their sacrifice. Click Continue to enter the Mayan Ball Game and see if you can keep your head.

the Mesoamerican ballgame

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Yik'in Chan K'awiil performed a ritual under a Ceiba tree to maintain the favor of the gods and the balance of the cosmos. this ensured continued prosperity and stability for his people.

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Slaves, war captives, and sometimes voluntary members of the community were chosen as offerings.

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Lady Xoc hosted a Mesoamerican BILLIARDS GAME in honor the gods. HOWEVER, AFTER LOOKING AT HER MAYAN CALENDAR, SHE REALIZED HER SCHEDULE WAS FULL.

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GREAT JOB! NOW LET'S HAVE SOME FUN learning about mayan civilizations & history!

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MAYAN CIVILIZATIONS

Mayan history was a turbulent one. However, the civlizations of the Mayan civilization still exhist today.

MAYAN HISTORY & ANCIENT CIVILIZATION

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Spanish Conquest, Colonial Period, and Decline

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Post-Classic Period

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Late Classic Period

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Classic Period

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Pre-Classic Period

The Maya civilization began to develop through the Pre-Classic and Classic periods – from around 2000 BCE to 900 CE.

History of The Maya Civilization

600 - 900 CE

2000 BCE to 900 CE

16th Century

250 CE - 900 CE

900 - 1500

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The Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico is a region steeped in the rich history of ancient Maya civilization, featuring some of the most impressive archaeological sites and enduring legacies of this complex society.

MEXICO

Uxmal

Tulum

Coba

Ancient mayan civilizations(CLICK ON EACH OF THE PLUS SIGNS TO VIEW MORE.)

Chichen-Itza

The civilization later faced a decline due to various factors, leading to the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Click Continue

THE RISE AND FALL OF MAYAN CULTURE

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which mayan civilization was know for its coastal positioning and strategic positioning against invaders?

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tulum

uxmal

chichen-itza

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tulum's coastal positioning made it an ideal fortress for the mayan against invaders.

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CHICHEN-ITZA, one of the most famous Mayan cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its massive step pyramid.

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Today, the descendants of the Maya?

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remember thier ancestrial heritage

have not survived

have forgotten thier language

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Today, the descendants of the Maya still maintain many aspects of their ancestral culture, including the Yucatec Maya language and various traditions.

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The Maya civilization began to develop through the Post-Classic Period.

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Ritual masks in Mayan culture are steeped in profound symbolism and were central to various ceremonial and religious practices. These masks served as critical conduits for connecting with the divine, the supernatural, and ancestral spirits. They were used extensively in rituals, dances, and burial ceremonies, signifying various themes from power and authority to transformation and communion with gods.Click Continue

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Despite this turbulent history, contemporary Maya communities in Guatemala, Mexico, Belize, and Honduras maintain their ancient traditions and distinct identity.

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The mayan legacy

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During this time, the Maya established their first known cities, such as Nakbé, El Mirador, and Cival, now in Guatemala. These early cities laid down the infrastructure and societal organization that would characterize later Maya urban centers, with large temple constructions and complex agricultural practices hinting at advanced societal structures.

Pre-Classic Period (2000 BCE - 250 CE)

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Often considered the "Golden Age" of the Maya civilization, this Period was marked by the construction of great cities like Tikal, Palenque, Copán, and Calakmul, along with significant developments in mathematics, astronomy, and hieroglyphics. The Maya created a complex calendar system and monumental architecture during this time, which remains a significant source of cultural pride and historical interest.

Classic Period (250 CE - 900 CE)

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The Maya were one of the most advanced civilizations in the Americas before the arrival of Europeans, with sophisticated knowledge in astronomy, mathematics, and architecture. Today, the descendants of the Maya still live in the Yucatán Peninsula and other parts of Mexico. They maintain many aspects of their ancestral culture, including the Yucatec Maya language and various traditions and practices.

Mexico and The Mayan

Overall, the Mayan culture remains a cornerstone of Mexico's historical and cultural identity, representing an essential link to the country's pre-Columbian past and its ongoing cultural diversity.

Mayan archaeological sites are pivotal to Mexican tourism, attracting millions of visitors each year to sites like Chichen Itza and Tulum.

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After the decline, the Mayan civilization continued in places like the Northern Yucatan Peninsula. Cities such as Chichen Itza, Uxmal, and Mayapan dominated this era until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.

Post-Classic Period (900 - 1500)

One of the most famous Mayan cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Chichen Itza is renowned for its massive step pyramid, El Castillo (Temple of Kukulcan). This city was a major economic and political center that flourished from around 600 AD to the 1200s. It is known for its diverse architectural styles, which reflect the influence of different regions and periods.

Chichen-Itza Yukatan Mexico

Chichen Itza is renowned not only for its architectural beauty but also for its sophisticated understanding of astronomy, which is integrated into many of its structures.

The site's layout and the alignment of its buildings reflect astronomical events, such as equinoxes and solstices, which were central to the Maya’s agricultural and ceremonial calendars.

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The Mayan civilization experienced a mysterious decline when many cities were abandoned. Factors such as warfare, overpopulation, environmental degradation, and prolonged drought are thought to contribute to this decline.

Late Classic Period (600 - 900 CE)

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Situated on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, Tulum was a fortified port town that played a crucial role in the Maya’s extensive trade network. It is unique among Maya sites for its picturesque location on the Caribbean coastline and well-preserved ruins, including El Castillo, which overlooks the sea.

Talum, Quintana Roo Mexico

Tulum was one of the last cities inhabited and built by the Maya and managed to survive about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico.

Tulum's proximity to the Caribbean Sea made it a key gateway for the Maya to engage in extensive trade networks with other parts of Central America and beyond. The site's fortifications and strategic position suggest military advantages.

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Nestled between two large lagoons, Coba holds the Nohoch Mul pyramid, which is one of the tallest in the Maya world at 42 meters (138 feet) high. This city was an important urban center that connected many smaller sites through an extensive network of stone causeways (sacbeob).

Coba, Quintana Roo Mexico

Today, Coba remains an important cultural heritage site, offering insights into Maya urban design, astronomy, and hieroglyphic writing.

The city's architecture and inscriptions suggest it had diverse influences from various parts of the Maya world, due to its strategic location.

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Located in the Puuc region, known for its unique architectural style characterized by intricate stone lattice work and smooth low walls, Uxmal is famous for its Governor's Palace and the Pyramid of the Magician. The city thrived between 700 and 1000 AD and is considered one of the most beautiful Maya sites.

Uxmal, Yukatan Mexico

Uxmal's buildings, like those of many Maya sites, reflect an advanced understanding of astronomical alignments.

Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most beautifully preserved and architecturally distinct Maya cities located in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico.

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The Spanish conquest initiated a problematic period for the Maya, involving subjugation and significant cultural and population losses due to diseases and conflict. Despite this, the Maya people persisted, maintaining many aspects of their culture and language.

Spanish Conquest and Colonial Period

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