EARLY AMERICAN CIVILIZATIONS – MAYAN What do you know about the Maya? In the 1st century, a group of people called the Maya rose to civilization in Central and South America. Their society was very interactive and organized around individual city states, each with their own governmental system. They created a system of writing which consisted of individual symbols to represent sounds and words. The Mayans placed their faith in maize and much of their lives were devoted to the crop and the success of it. Their religious beliefs were similar to the Aztecs and the Incans in that they practiced various religious ceremonies, including human sacrifice. The Maya Civilization is also known for their advancements in mathematics, science, architecture, and astronomy. They were a very advanced civilization and even had a calendar that is similar to the one we use today. The fall of the Mayan Civilization was a result of European exploration, but the Maya people are still found in Central and South America. © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.