{"id":319773,"date":"2025-08-27T13:50:03","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T13:50:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/uk\/?p=319773"},"modified":"2025-08-27T16:09:20","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T16:09:20","slug":"10-facts-about-the-maya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/au\/discover\/history\/general-history\/10-facts-about-the-maya\/","title":{"rendered":"10 facts about the Maya!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Take a trip back in time to the Maya civilisation! Discover the cities, gods and games of these clever people in our ten terrific facts about the Maya&#8230;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-Opener.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"635\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-Opener.jpg\" alt=\"Ancient Mayan stone carving showing three figures with elaborate headdresses and jewelry, kneeling beside a decorated vessel, with Mayan glyphs\u2014shedding light on fascinating facts about the Maya\u2014surrounding them.\" class=\"wp-image-320566\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-Opener.jpg 635w, https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-Opener-300x191.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 635px) 100vw, 635px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. The Maya civilisation stretched across Mesoamerica from about 2000 BC to AD 1600.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This huge area covers parts of modern-day <strong>North<\/strong> and <strong>Central America<\/strong>, including <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/au\/discover\/geography\/countries\/country-fact-file-mexico\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mexico<\/a><\/strong>, <strong>Guatemala<\/strong>, <strong>Belize<\/strong>, <strong>Honduras<\/strong>, <strong>Nicaragua <\/strong>and <strong>El Salvador<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">A civilisation is a society of people who live in cities, have their own shared culture, and develop particular ways of living and working together. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/au\/discover\/history\/greece\/10-facts-about-the-ancient-greeks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ancient Greeks<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/uk\/discover\/history\/egypt\/ten-facts-about-ancient-egypt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Egyptians<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/au\/discover\/history\/romans\/10-facts-about-the-ancient-romans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Romans<\/a> are all examples of historic civilisations! <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. There were hundreds of Maya cities<\/strong>.<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-Cities.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"635\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-Cities.jpg\" alt=\"Ancient Mayan pyramids and ruins at Tikal, Guatemala, surrounded by green trees and grass under a partly cloudy blue sky\u2014an incredible site to discover fascinating facts about the Maya.\" class=\"wp-image-320563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-Cities.jpg 635w, https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-Cities-300x191.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 635px) 100vw, 635px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Some of the most famous cities, like <strong>Chich\u00e9n Itz\u00e1<\/strong>, <strong>Palenque <\/strong>and <strong>Tikal<\/strong> (above), were filled with <strong>temples<\/strong>, <strong>pyramids<\/strong>, and <strong>palaces<\/strong>. Each major city and the surrounding area was ruled by a <strong>king <\/strong>or <strong>queen<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Farming was very important to the Maya.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most people <strong>grew their own crops<\/strong>, including <strong>maize<\/strong> (corn), <strong>beans<\/strong>, <strong>squash<\/strong>, <strong>chilli peppers<\/strong> and <strong>cacao beans<\/strong>, and hunted animals like <strong>deer<\/strong> and <strong>turkey<\/strong>. They also produced <strong>cotton<\/strong>, which was dyed <strong>bright colours <\/strong>and weaved into clothing and other textiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. They loved chocolate \u2013&nbsp;but they didn&#8217;t eat it, they drank it!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-Cacao.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"635\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-Cacao.jpg\" alt=\"A pair of hands holding a pile of raw cocoa beans, with more cocoa beans scattered on a wooden surface and a small bowl of cocoa powder nearby\u2014an inviting scene that hints at ancient facts about the Maya, who treasured cocoa for its rich flavor and cultural significance.\" class=\"wp-image-320562\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-Cacao.jpg 635w, https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-Cacao-300x191.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 635px) 100vw, 635px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Chocolate is made from <strong>beans <\/strong>grown on <strong>cacao plants<\/strong>. The Maya would <strong>dry<\/strong>, <strong>grind <\/strong>and <strong>mix<\/strong> <strong>these beans <\/strong>with <strong>water <\/strong>to make a <strong>hot<\/strong>, <strong>frothy<\/strong> <strong>drink<\/strong>. It was quite <strong>bitter<\/strong>, so they often added <strong>spices<\/strong>, <strong>honey<\/strong>, and even <strong>chilli<\/strong>, too! <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/au\/kids-club\/entertainment\/general-entertainment\/chocolate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here to find out more about how chocolate is made.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Cacao beans were so valuable that the Maya even used them as <strong>money<\/strong>! This drink was mainly used for <strong>rituals <\/strong>and <strong>ceremonies<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Maya stories include over 200 gods and goddesses.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most important was <strong>Itzamn\u00e1<\/strong>, the creator. He ruled day and night, and invented books and writing. They also worshipped <strong>Chaac<\/strong>, the god of rain; <strong>Ix Chel<\/strong>, goddess of the moon, pregnancy and weaving; and <strong>Kukulk\u00e1n<\/strong>, a powerful god who looked like an enormous feathered serpent. They also believed that Earth took the form of a <strong>giant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/au\/discover\/animals\/sea-life\/turtle-facts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">turtle<\/a><\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. They built huge temples to honour their gods.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-Temple.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"635\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-Temple.jpg\" alt=\"The ancient pyramid of Chichen Itza stands under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds, surrounded by green grass and plants, while tourists stroll around its base and learn fascinating facts about the Maya.\" class=\"wp-image-320568\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-Temple.jpg 635w, https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-Temple-300x191.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 635px) 100vw, 635px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p> Inside these temples, the Maya sometimes performed <strong>rituals<\/strong> to keep the gods happy \u2013&nbsp;including <strong>offerings<\/strong> and <strong>sacrifices<\/strong>. Yikes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. The Maya were expert writers and astronomers.<\/strong>..<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>They invented their own <strong>writing system<\/strong> that used <strong>hieroglyphs<\/strong> (symbols) on paper made from the bark of <strong>wild fig trees<\/strong>. In books, called <strong>codices<\/strong>, the Maya created <strong>complex calendars<\/strong> to track the <strong>movements of planets and stars<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>8. &#8230;and they developed the concept of zero!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A <strong>flower<\/strong>, <strong>seed<\/strong>, <strong>conch shell <\/strong>or <strong>human head symbol <\/strong>represented zero in their calculations and calendars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>9. A ball game called pitz was an important part of their culture.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-BallCourt.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"635\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-BallCourt.jpg\" alt=\"Ancient stone ruins of a Mayan archaeological site, surrounded by lush green grass and trees under a partly cloudy sky, offer fascinating facts about the Maya and their remarkable civilization.\" class=\"wp-image-320573\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-BallCourt.jpg 635w, https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FactsAboutMaya-BallCourt-300x191.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 635px) 100vw, 635px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Crowds often gathered to watch this <strong>two-week-long game <\/strong>where two teams played against each other to get a <strong>rubber ball <\/strong>from one side of the <strong>court<\/strong> (above) to the other. They could only use their <strong>knees<\/strong>, <strong>hips<\/strong> and <strong>elbows <\/strong>to pass it between them \u2013 and no <strong>dropping it on the ground<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>10. The Maya civilisation collapsed \u2013 but there are Maya people living today.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the <strong>16th century<\/strong>, Spanish invaders called <strong>conquistadores <\/strong>arrived in Mesoamerica. They destroyed Maya cities, brought <strong>diseases <\/strong>which killed many Maya people, and for centuries they worked to erase the Maya culture. But in spite of this, millions of <strong>Indigenous people<\/strong> continued to <strong>follow<\/strong> <strong>Maya beliefs and speak Mayan languages<\/strong> \u2013&nbsp;and they still do to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How fascinating were those Maya facts? What an amazing civilisation!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">All images \u00a9 Adobe Stock.<\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Take a trip back in time to the Maya civilisation! Discover the cities, gods and games of these clever people in our ten terrific facts about the Maya&#8230; 1. The Maya civilisation stretched across Mesoamerica from about 2000 BC to AD 1600. This huge area covers parts of modern-day North and Central America, including Mexico, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/au\/discover\/history\/general-history\/10-facts-about-the-maya\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">10 facts about the Maya!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":258443,"featured_media":320620,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[3126,201,357,3129,3128,361],"christmas-category":[],"class_list":["post-319773","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-history","tag-ancient-maya","tag-history","tag-maya","tag-maya-people","tag-maya-temple","tag-pyramid","countries-australia","countries-ireland","countries-new-zealand","countries-united-kingdom"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>10 facts about the Maya! 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