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Minecraft Meets the Mayan: A Pyramid Reborn - Coggle Diagram
Minecraft Meets the Mayan:
A Pyramid Reborn
Mayan Civilization
Development
began around 2000 BC
reached its peak between 250 to 900 AC
During this time, the Mayan made huge advances in astronomy, mathematics, and architecture
the golden age of pyramid building
After 900 CE, the Mayan civilization started to decline
some pyramids were still built
Coba Pyramid around 1100 CE
Chichen Itza between 1000 and 1200 CE
In the fifteenth century, Spanish colonizers invaded
Mayan couldn’t resist them
Many pyramids were destroyed or looted
some survived and became famous tourist attractions in Mexico
in 2006, a tourist fell while climbing a pyramid
most Mayan pyramids are now closed to climbing for safety reasons
Mayan Doomsday
December 21, 2012
a misunderstanding of the Mayan calendar
People thought the end of a calendar cycle meant the end of time
but actually, it just meant a new cycle was starting
It wasn’t the end of the world, just a fresh start
Mayan Pyramid
Others
the term “Mayan pyramid” doesn’t refer to just one building. Instead, it describes a group of similar-looking structures
Famous Pyramid
Coba Pyramid
Chichen Itza Pyramid
also known as the Temple of Kukulkan
Internal Structure
there’s a smaller pyramid inside Chichen Itza Pyramid
an even smaller one inside the small one
Construction techniques
We don't know
no detailed records
Some believe aliens might have helped
Function
religious events
sacrifices
prayers
festivals
worship their most important god
the feathered serpent Kukulkan
work as observatories
work as observatories
By watching the sun’s movement, the Maya could plan farming and religious events based on the seasons
Fun Facts
Mathematical Coincidences Hidden in the Maya Pyramids
Each side of the pyramid has 91 steps
The Maya believed the upper world had 13 levels
1+2+3+...+12+13 = 91
Multiply 91 steps by 4 sides = 364
Add the top platform = 365
the number of days in a year
13 levels × 4 directions = 52
the number of weeks in a year
sound and light effects
clap near the base of the pyramid, you’ll hear an echo that sounds like a bird chirping
during the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sunlight hits the steps on the northside in a way that creates a shadow shaped like a snake
as if Kukulkan is coming down to tell people it’s time to plant or harvest corn