Learning about Maya Civilisation? Perhaps you need some facts about the Maya to impress your teacher or family with? Well look no further, friends, we've got you covered:

Five Fun Facts About The Maya:

Maya Writing

The Maya created a writing system using symbols or "Glyphs" (similar to that used by the Ancient Egyptians). There were more than 700 symbols in the Maya alphabet. They wrote on large stone slabs called Steles (a bit like the Rosetta Stone) and in books they made from the bark of trees.

Maya Pyramids

El Casillo, a step pyramid in the city of Chichen Itza, is 30 metres tall and still stands today. At the spring and autumn equinox every year, the sun's rays create shadows on the pyramid that look like a serpent slithering down the stone steps.

Mathematics, Astronomy and Calendars

The Maya studied mathematics and astronomy. From their studies, they created a complex calendar system that was used by most civilisations in Mesoamerica at the time. Their calendar is the most accurate in the ancient world.

Maya Ball Game

The Maya played one of the earliest forms of competitive sport. They had special courts to play a popular ball game where players had to keep the ball off the ground using their hips elbows and knees, but not their hands or feet.

Maya Religion

Most of Maya life revolved around religion. They believed that they could please their gods through human sacrifice! They would sometimes offer the lives of prisoners captured through war or even harm or kill themselves to satisfy their gods.