Rise of Civilizations: The Maya
Trace Maya civilization's roots to the Olmec culture and follow its development through three historical periods into powerful city-states in Grade 7 history.
Key Concepts
The Maya civilization developed in Mesoamerica by building on the achievements of the earlier Olmec culture. The Maya adopted Olmec ideas, such as building large ceremonial centers and using a solar calendar, to create their own unique society.
Maya history is divided into three major eras: the Pre Classic , Classic , and Post Classic periods . This long history saw the rise and fall of many great city states across the region.
Common Questions
How did Maya civilization develop from the earlier Olmec culture?
The Maya built their civilization on foundations laid by the Olmec, who developed large trading networks and ceremonial centers in Mesoamerica. The Maya adopted Olmec innovations—including large ceremonial architecture, solar calendar systems, and artistic traditions—then expanded and refined them into their own distinctive civilization.
What are the three main periods of Maya history?
Maya history is divided into the Preclassic period, when foundational settlements developed; the Classic period (roughly 250-900 CE), when Maya civilization reached its peak with magnificent city-states, pyramids, and achievements in astronomy and mathematics; and the Postclassic period, marked by the decline of classic centers and shifts in political power.
What achievements made the Maya one of Mesoamerica's greatest civilizations?
The Maya excelled in astronomy, developing highly accurate calendars. They created a sophisticated writing system—one of few in the ancient Americas—using hieroglyphs. Their mathematics included the concept of zero. They built towering stone pyramids and temples and organized complex city-states with elaborate political and religious systems.