Contextualization

The ancient Mayan civilization is one of the most fascinating and mystifying cultures in history. Flourishing in the tropical rainforests of Central America between 2600 BC and 900 AD, the Mayans constructed monumental cities, developed an intricate writing system, made significant astronomical advancements, and created a complex social, political, and economic structure.

The Mayans are renowned for their stunning architectural achievements, such as the pyramids of Tikal and the temples of Palenque. These structures, along with their art, pottery, clothing, and jewelry, reveal the Mayans' highly developed artistic and aesthetic sensibility.

Moreover, the Mayans developed the only complete writing system in pre-Columbian America, known as hieroglyphics. This script was used to record historical events, keep track of time, and for ritualistic purposes. The decipherment of Mayan hieroglyphics in the late 20th century has given us invaluable insights into Mayan history, society, and culture.

In terms of science and astronomy, the Mayans were incredibly advanced. They had an accurate solar calendar called the Haab, which had 365 days and included leap years. They also created a highly precise lunar calendar and developed a complex system of astronomical observations.

In this project, we will dive into the mysterious and captivating world of the Mayans. We will explore their history, their achievements, their way of life, and their ultimate decline. We will investigate how their culture still influences modern society and how their legacy continues to captivate and inspire us.

Resources

1. The Maya: What Was Their Most Remarkable Achievement? - A detailed article by BBC History, providing an overview of the Mayan civilization and their extraordinary achievements.
2. Ancient History Encyclopedia: The Maya - A comprehensive resource with detailed articles on various aspects of the Mayan civilization.
3. Maya Civilization - An interactive website by National Geographic, offering a rich collection of articles, photos, videos, and quizzes about the Mayans.
4. The Mayans: An Introduction - A Khan Academy module that provides a comprehensive introduction to the Mayan civilization.
5. Books: "The Maya" by Michael D. Coe, "The Ancient Maya" by Robert J. Sharer, and "The Code of Kings: The Language of Seven Sacred Maya Temples and Tombs" by Linda Schele and Peter Mathews.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Exploring the Mayan Civilization: A Journey Through Time"

Objective of the Project:

The objective of this project is to provide students with a deeper understanding of the Mayan civilization, its achievements, its decline, and its influence on modern society. Students will work collaboratively in groups to research, discuss, and create a visual timeline and a 3D model of a Mayan city.

Detailed Description of the Project:

The project is divided into two main parts:

1. Research and Timeline Creation: Students will conduct research using provided resources and any other reliable sources they find. They will then create a visual timeline that illustrates key events, discoveries, and cultural milestones of the Mayan civilization.

2. 3D Model Construction: Students will work together to design and build a 3D model of a Mayan city. This model should include key architectural structures, such as pyramids and temples, as well as elements of daily life, like markets, homes, and farms.

Necessary Materials:

• Access to a computer and the internet for research.
• Poster board or large paper for the timeline.
• Markers, colored pencils, or other art supplies for the timeline.
• Craft materials for the 3D model, such as cardboard, clay, popsicle sticks, etc.

Detailed Step-by-step for Carrying out the Activity:

1. Form Groups and Assign Roles: Form groups of 3-5 students. Each student in the group should be assigned a role: Researcher, Timeline Designer, Model Designer, Writer, and Presenter. These roles can be rotated throughout the project to ensure each student has a chance to participate in every aspect.

2. Research Phase: The Researcher(s) will use the provided resources and any other reliable sources to gather information about the Mayan civilization. They should focus on key topics such as history, culture, achievements, and decline. They should also note down important events that will be included in the timeline.

3. Timeline Creation: The Timeline Designer(s) will take the information from the research and create a visual timeline. The timeline should clearly show the sequence of events and include dates or time periods. It should also include brief descriptions of each event.

4. Model Design and Construction: The Model Designer(s) will work with the group to plan and construct a 3D model of a Mayan city. They should consider the layout of the city, the design of the buildings, and any other important elements they want to include. The model should be detailed and accurate, based on the group's research.

5. Writing the Report: The Writer(s) will work throughout the project to keep track of the group's progress and decisions. They will use this information to write the final report, following the structure provided.

6. Presentation Preparation: The Presenter(s) will be responsible for preparing a presentation of the group's work. They should practice presenting the timeline and the 3D model, making sure to explain key points and events clearly.

7. Final Presentation and Report Submission: Each group will present their work to the class. After the presentation, the group will submit their final written report.

Project Deliverables:

The deliverables for this project include:

1. A visual timeline of the Mayan civilization, including key events, discoveries, and cultural milestones.

2. A 3D model of a Mayan city, accurately representing the architecture and lifestyle of the Mayans.

3. A written report with the following sections:

   • Introduction: The students should provide an overview of the Mayan civilization, its significance, and the objective of the project.
   • Development: The students should detail the theory and historical context of the Mayan civilization, explain the activity in detail, indicate the methodology used, and present and discuss the obtained results.
   • Conclusions: The students should revisit the main points of the project, state the learnings obtained, and draw conclusions about the Mayan civilization and the project.
   • Bibliography: The students should list all the sources they used for their research.

Remember, the goal of this project is not just to create a timeline and a model, but to deepen your understanding of the Mayan civilization and to practice important skills like research, collaboration, time management, and presentation. Have fun exploring the fascinating world of the ancient Mayans!