What were Maya roads like?
- When it rained it could be difficult to travel through the wet and muddy jungle floor.
- Roads called sacbeob were built a few inches above the ground. This meant the Maya could travel whatever the weather and conditions.
- The roads were made using stones which stopped them getting muddy.
- The longest known sacbeob is called 驰补虫耻苍补-颁辞产谩. It is 62 miles (100km) long.
How did the Maya carry goods?
Maya people did not use vehicles with wheels to move things. Instead they carried loads on their backs.
- A tumpline was a carrying device used to carry heavy loads on someone鈥檚 back.
- It allowed people to carry up to 125 pounds (around 57kg).
- The tumpline had a strap which went round the forehead.
How did the Maya grind corn?
- A metate is a stone tool that would have been used for grinding maize to make tortillas.
- This tool is still used by some Maya people today.
What did Maya calendars look like?
- The Tzolkin calendar was 260 days long and it was used to plan religious ceremonies.
- Each day has its own unique name.
- Some Maya people still use it today.
- The Haab calendar had 365 days. It could be used with the Tzolkin calendar to form a calendar wheel.
- The Maya watched the sun, moon, stars and planets to create their calendars.
Activities
Activity 1: Quiz 鈥 Maya inventions
Activity 2: History Explorer game
Play this game to test your knowledge and learn even more facts about the ancient Maya.
History Explorer: Secrets through time
History Explorer: Secrets through time: KS2 History
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