Mayas

to leave something behind

a large plaza in a city center, surrounded by temples and palaces, where religious rituals and other public ceremonies took place

a large amount

related to or coming from a god or gods

writing that uses pictures as symbols

Maya

the people of an important Mesoamerican civilization that lasted from about 2000 B.C.E. to 1500 C.E.

the region extending from modern Mexico through Central America

ritual

a set of actions that is always performed the same way as part of a religious ceremony

a gift of an animal for slaughter to honor the gods

slash-and-burn agriculture

a farming technique in which vegetation is cut away and burned to clear land for growing crops