What have the Maya ever done for us?

Who were the Maya? The Maya were an ancient civilisation based in an area of Central America known as . This ancient civilisation have been credited with:

- The invention of chocolate and the development of farming techniques especially for maize, which was their main crop. - The creation of team sports. Mayan cities had large open plazas central for meeting and games, such as pok-a-tok. - Improving our knowledge of astronomy. The Mayans were keen astronomers and created detailed maps of the sun, moon and stars to help create calendars. - The development of architecture. The Mayans created spectacular cities, such as the of Chichen Itza.

Key Vocabulary

AD - Stands for ‘Anno Domini’, which means ‘In the BC - Stands for ‘Before Christ’. Some historians use Maize - Maize, also known as corn, is a cereal grain. year of our Lord’, which is just over 2000 years ago. this term to describe dates up to the birth of Jesus, which was just over 2000 years ago.

Architecture - The design and construction of Civilisation - The society, culture, and way of life of a - A building used for worship of a God or buildings. particular area. Gods in some religions.

Agriculture - Farming - growing crops and rearing Crops - A plant that is grown on a large scale - Tomb - A large stone structure or underground animals. usually a cereal, fruit or vegetable. room where someone, especially an important person, is buried.

Artefact - An object that is made by a person, such Empire - A group of countries ruled by a single Worship - To have or show a strong feeling or as a tool or a decoration, especially one of person, government or country. respect and admiration for a God or Gods. historical interest.

Astronomy - The study of space, planets, stars and Hieroglyphics - A system of writing using pictures the universe. not words.

500 AD 900 AD becomes the The ancient Maya first great Mayan civilisation starts to city. collapse.

2500 BC 683 AD 1500 AD Start of the Emperor Pacal dies aged 80 Spanish invaders Ancient Mayan and is buried in the Temple () arrive Civilisation of Inscriptions. in Mesoamerica. What have the Ancient Egyptians

Who were the Ancient Egyptians? ever done for us? The ancient Egyptian civilisation began 5,000 years ago when people started building villages next to the River Nile in north-east Africa. It lasted for around 3,000 years. This ancient civilisation have arguably impacted the modern world by developing:

- The advancement of writing. Along with the Mayans, who were based on the other side of the world, the Egyptians used pictograms and papyrus to record and pass information. - The invention of clocks. The Egyptians invented two types of clocks - sun and water clocks to help keep track of the hours. - The ways of preserving bodies. Through mummification, the Egyptians preserved bodies to such an extent that historians today can tell what types of diseases they suffered.

Key Vocabulary

Afterlife - The place where Egyptians believed they Nile - The river that runs through Africa and Egypt. would go after they died. It was very important for the Ancient Egyptians and helped them travel, farm and trade.

Canopic Jar - Used to store and preserve organs in Papyrus - A plant that grew on the banks of the Nile. the mummification process. It was used as an early version of paper.

Egyptologist - An archaeologist who focuses who Pharaoh - The ruler and leader of Ancient Egypt. focuses on Ancient Egypt. A famous egyptologist was Howard Carter, who discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb.

Mummifications - The process of preserving a body Sarcophagus - A large stone box that held a after death in preparation for the afterlife. mummy’s coffin. Often richly decorated for Pharaohs.

4500 BC 669 BC Egyptians use King Tutankhamun sails for the first buried. time.

7000 BC 3500 BC 30 BC Settlement of First use of Cleopatra dies Nile Valley hieroglyphics and the Romans begins. control Egypt.