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Graphic
Curated OER

Mayan Monuments and Rubbings

For Students 9th - 10th
A series of photos and rubbings from Mayan stone calendars and standing stones (stelae) that could be used as primary sources for a unit on Mayan history.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Wikipedia: Maya Architecture

For Students 9th - 10th
This article covers Mayan urban design, types of structures and building processes.
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Graphic
Curated OER

University of St Andrews: Mayan Mathematics

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the University of St. Andrews provides indepth information about the mathematics of the Mayan civilization, and shows just how advanced they were.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Unesco: Honduras: Maya Site of Copan

For Students 9th - 10th
Discovered in 1570 by Diego Garcia de Palacio, the ruins of Copan, one of the most important sites of the Mayan civilization, were not excavated until the 19th century. The ruined citadel and imposing public squares reveal the three main...
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Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Yaxchilan Lintels 24 & 25 From Structure 23 & Structures 33 & 40

For Students 9th - 10th
Yaxchilan is host to an impressive number of structures and monuments-over 100-and is especially famous for its high-quality relief carvings. Specifically the lintels exemplify the skilled carving of Maya artists at Yaxchilan-and the...
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Article
Scholastic

Scholastic: Junior Scholastic: Jungle of Secrets

For Students 3rd - 5th
Check out this site to discover more about the Ancient Maya culture. An article and video are provided. [2:19]
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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Tzolk'in

For Students 9th - 10th
The Tzolkin is another name for the Maya calendar. The meanings of the symbols on the Tzolk'in and various interpretations that are given to the calendar are outlined here.
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Website
Other

Global Exchange: Guatemala, a Brief History

For Students 9th - 10th
What a rich history Guatemala has. Study it on this Global Exchange page, from the Maya civilization to the conquest of Spain, to the independence of the nation and its civil war.
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Website
Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet: Guatemala History

For Students 9th - 10th
Lonely Planet presents a history of Guatemala from which we explore the country from cities of the ancient Mayas, the arrival of the Spaniards and the culture of today.
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Website
Other

Different World Travel: Chichen Itza

For Students 9th - 10th
This article for tourists visiting the Mayan and Toltec city of Chichen Itza features information about the site's access and history.
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Primary
Sacred Text Archive

Internet Sacred Text Archive: The Popol Vuh

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an extract from an English translation of the Popol Vuh, the mythic and heroic sagas of the Kiches of Central America.
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Secrets of the Past

For Teachers 4th Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and establishes scaffolding for vocabulary learning. It contains questions and teacher guides and...
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Handout
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Realities of Looting in El Peten, Guatamala (1996)

For Students 9th - 10th
Study investigates the reasons and problems related to looting in areas of archaeological importance.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Mesoweb: Rubbings of Maya Sculpture

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is a personal account of an artist's trip to do Mayan rubbings. Includes images of the rubbings.
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Handout
Mex Connect

Mexconnect: Periods of Civilization in Mesoamerica 300 900 Ad

For Students 9th - 10th
Details Teotihuacan, Cholula, and Monte Alban as the foremost Mayan centers. Be sure to see the timeline that places developments in Mesoamerica with developments in other parts of the world.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Calendar Cycle

For Students 9th - 10th
While brief, this simple explanation of the Mayan calendar may clarify for some how its two cycles work together.
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: The Early Americas Civilizations Power Point

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This lesson is for cooperative learning groups. This lesson will take place in the classroom and the computer lab. Students will create PowerPoints on the early Americas civilizations of the Hohokam, Anasazi, Mississippians, Inuit,...
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Graphic
Curated OER

Unesco: Mexico: Pre Hispanic City of Chichen Itza

For Students 9th - 10th
This sacred site was one of the greatest Mayan centres of the Yucatan peninsula. Throughout its nearly 1,000-year history, different peoples have left their mark on the city. The Maya and Toltec vision of the world and the universe is...