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Lesson Plan
Yale University

Yale the Maya Culture of Mesoamerica

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This lesson unit on Mayan culture focuses on Mayan art. It can be adapted to various grades and features classroom activities, student resources, a bibliography, and the like.
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Handout
Other

Archaelogical Sites: Palenque

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource presents an overview of the Mayan city of Palenque, including a biographical sketch on some of the rulers.
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Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: The Piedras Negras Project (2000)

For Students 9th - 10th
Many details of the excavation processes at Piedras Negras allow researchers to write a probable history of the Mayan peoples who lived at this site until the time of its collapse.
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Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Palenque Hydro Archaeology Project (2005)

For Students 9th - 10th
Study indicates that Palenque aquaducts were part of city planning and suggests reasons that Mayans would choose the existing plan. Many photographs of the aquaduct are included.
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Website
Other

Wesleyan University: Unaahil B'aak: The Temples of Palenque Home

For Students 9th - 10th
Wesleyan University presents the introduction to the site "Unaahil B'aak: The Temples of Palenque". Here the Mayan ruins which are the Palenque archeological site are introduced.
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Website
Other

Wesleyan University: Unaahil B'aak: The Temples of Palenque Glyphs

For Students 9th - 10th
Wesleyan University presents the information on glyphs from the Mayan ruins at Palenque from the on-line exhibit "Unaahil B'aak: The Temples of Palenque".
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Website
BBC

Bbc: Excavations and Techniques: Naachtun: A Lost City of the Maya

For Students 9th - 10th
An Indiana Jones type of adventure. Imagine a lost city deep in the jungles! Site provides information on the Mayan city of Naachtun and the culture of the Mayan.
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Article
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Mayan Mathematics

For Students 9th - 10th
After a historical introduction, this site from the University of St. Andrews provides information about the mathematics of the Maya Civilization and shows just how advanced they were.
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Article
Then Again

Then Again: Web Chron: The Mayan City of Chichen Itza

For Students 9th - 10th
A history of Chichen Itza is given along with a profile of three of its famous architectural structures.
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Website
Other

Ambergris Caye History: Maya History on Ambergris Caye, Belize

For Students 9th - 10th
This site tells of the importance of Ambergris Caye to the Mayan people for trade and protection. It tells of the structure of city-states and the way the hierarchy of leadership was arranged.
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Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: Cracking the Mayan Code

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the Maya system of hieroglyphic writing. It was viewed by Spanish invaders as the work of the devil and most of the written materials were destroyed under the orders of a Spanish priest whose goal was to convert the Mayans to...
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Website
Incredible Art Department

The Incredible Art Department: Ancient Mayan Civilization Art & Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
Looks at the art and culture of the Maya civilization including history, forms of art, recent discoveries, and some art lessons. There is also a lengthy list of web resource links.
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Graphic
Other

Mayan Math

For Students 9th - 10th
A basic, illustrated description of the math system developed by the Mayans. Includes a paragraph comparing the Mayan system favorably with the Roman numeral system of the same time.
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Website
Other

Visit Cancun: Mayan Ruins

For Students 9th - 10th
Visit Cancun is a tourism site that gives some basic information about a variety of Mayan ruins.
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Article
Other

World Museum of Man: Pre Columbian Mayan Period

For Students 9th - 10th
The World Museum of Man endeavours to construct pictures of ancient cultures based on clues from their tools and weapons. The picture left behind of the Maya is that of a scientifically advanced society, but one devoted to gods that...
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Graphic
Other

Mayan Calendar

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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Handout
Other

Mc Clung Museum: Maya: Portraits of a People

For Students 9th - 10th
Gives a short but concise summary of the Mayan civilization along with a timeline and pictures. Can serve as a good introduction to the Mayans. Map of the region is also available.
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Website
Other

Personal: Rubbings of the Maya Sculpture

For Students 9th - 10th
This personal site provides a large collection of rubbings taken from Mayan stelae, etc. Great primary source.
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Graphic
Other

Villanova University: Chichen Itza

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from Villanova University contains many pictures of the Mayan City of Chichen Itza. Click on each thumbnail to enlarge.
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Website
Other

College of the Siskiyous: Chichen Itza

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a very good site that delivers very relevant information pertaining to the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza and its many different areas such as The Nunnery and The Iglesia.
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans the Aztec Empire

For Students 4th - 6th Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction passage provides information about the ancient Aztec Empire, including the significance of Montezuma and Tenochtitlan. This passage reinforces essential reading comprehension skills....
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Website
United Nations

Unesco: The Prehispanic Town of Uxmal

For Students 9th - 10th
Brief historical description of the Mayan city of Uxmal with photos and conservation requirements.
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Lesson Plan
Yale University

Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: The Influence of Mesoamerica on Mexican Art

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A unit on Mexican art, Frida Kahlo, Native Civilizations in Mesoamerica, and Mayan culture. The site includes lesson plans, bibliographies, and much more.
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Activity
Mex Connect

Mexconnect: The Ancient Maya: A Commercial Empire

For Students 9th - 10th
This article discusses the implications of trade and commerce during the Mayan Period. The principles of resource allocation and specialization are discussed. (Published January 1, 2006)