Homework 11/17 – 11/21
Name: ____________________________
Due Friday
Advisory: ________________
Directions: Read about art of the Maya civilization and complete the matching section
below. Underline where you found your answer in the text.
ART OF THE MAYA CIVILIZATION
The Maya civilization existed for over 1500 years. During that time the Maya created many
works of art. The art of the Maya was heavily influenced by their religion as well as other
cultures such as the Olmecs and the Toltecs. The subject for much of their artwork was the
Maya kings who wanted to make sure they were remembered throughout history.
Sculpture
The Maya are perhaps most famous for their work in stone. They built many monumental
structures including tall pyramids and palaces. They also made a lot of sculptures out of
stone.
One popular type of Maya sculpture was the stela. A stela was a large tall stone slab
covered with carvings and writing. The stela was popular during the Classic Maya period
when most major cities had stela built in honor of their kings. Stela were often located near
altars.
Some stelae were very large. The largest Maya stela discovered to date is the Stela E from
the city of Quirigua. It weighs 65 tons and is around 34 feet tall.
Carving
The Maya also created detailed carvings in other materials such as wood and jade.
Although only a few wood carvings have survived, archeologists believe that wood carvings
were very popular pieces of art for the Maya.
Painting
The Maya painted murals on the walls of their buildings including their houses, temples, and
public buildings. The subjects of the murals varied widely including scenes from daily life,
mythology, battles, and religious ceremonies. Unfortunately, due to the high humidity of the
region, few of the murals have survived.
Ceramics
Maya ceramics are an important art form. The Maya created their pottery without the use of
a potter's wheel. They decorated their pottery with elaborate designs and scenes.
Archeologists are able to learn a lot about different periods and cities of the Maya through
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the scenes painted or carved into their pottery.
Weaving and Feather-working
Although none of the materials from the Maya age have survived to this time, archeologists
can tell through the paintings, writings, and carvings the type of clothes that the Maya
created. Clothing for the nobles was truly an art form. The nobles wore decorated clothing
and huge headdresses made from feathers. Some of the most respected craftsmen were
those that wove the detailed feathered clothing for the nobility.
Interesting Facts about Maya Art
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Unlike many ancient civilizations, Maya artists sometimes signed their work.
Other arts included the performing arts of dance and music. The Maya had a variety
of musical instruments including wind instruments, drums, and rattles. Some of the
more complex instruments were reserved for the elite.
The Maya used stucco plaster to create large masks and portraits of both the gods
and the kings.
The kings would often commission a work of art to commemorate events in their
lives.
The city of Palenque is often considered the artistic capital of the Maya civilization. It
wasn't a big or powerful city, but some of the finest Maya art has been found within
this city.
Match the word with the correct phrase. Underline where you found evidence in the text.
1. _____ stela
2. _____ headdresses
3. _____ murals
4. _____ Palenque
5. _____ Toltecs
6. _____ jade
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a. The artistic capital of Maya civilization
b. nobles wore these made from feathers
c. a large stone slab carving
d. because of high humidity, few of these have survived
e. a popular material for Maya carvings
f. a culture that influenced the Maya
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Directions: Look at the picture below and answer the questions that follow. (To see
the picture in color, look on the website at bvp2025.weebly.com)
a. What kinds of clothes are the Maya wearing? What does their style of dress tell you about
their environment?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
b. List five artifacts that you see in the picture. (Artifacts are things that were used or made
by people and might include pots shown in the picture, spears, bracelets, necklaces,
headdresses, etc.).
1. ______________________________________
2. ______________________________________
3. ______________________________________
4. ______________________________________
5. ______________________________________
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Directions: Look at the picture below and answer the questions that follow. (To see
the picture in color, look on the website at bvp2025.weebly.com)
a. What kinds of clothes are the Maya wearing? What does their style of dress tell you about
their status or power?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
b. List five artifacts that you see in the picture. (Artifacts are things that were used or made
by people and might include pots shown in the picture, spears, bracelets, necklaces,
headdresses, etc.).
1. ______________________________________
2. ______________________________________
3. ______________________________________
4. ______________________________________
5. ______________________________________
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Directions: Look at the picture below and answer the questions that follow. (To see
the picture in color, look on the website at bvp2025.weebly.com)
a. What kinds of clothes is this Maya wearing? Why do you think he wears this?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
b. The sculpture is in a strange position. What does it look like this Maya is doing?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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Examples of Mayan Glyphs: The Maya used glyphs (pictures or symbols)
to communicate names, words, messages, or ideas. Glyphs were carved into stone for
monuments and buildings, pained on pottery, drawn on walls, and in special books
made of bark called codices. Just four Mayan codices exist today. Only the wealthy and
powerful Mayan society could read or write glyphs.
Paraphrase the paragraph above
(put it in your own words!):
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Directions: BOYS fill out the first square next to Lord. GIRLS fill out the second
square next to LADY.
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This large, standing stone sculpture or stela shows a portrait of the royal
Maya lady Na Kan Ajaw (pronounced NAAH CON AH-HOW) wearing
the costume of the maize (corn) god. At her side is a richly dressed
dwarf. Blocks of hieroglyphic writing tell us what the picture is about.
Directions: Find each of the symbols on the left in the
picture below. Draw a line from the objects on their location
on the stela. The first one has been done for you.
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