At the start of the 9th century, the Maya civilization went through a major crisis—cities were abandoned, kings lost power, and populations dropped sharply. This period, known as the Maya collapse, wasn’t the end of the Maya people, but...

A major drought hit the Maya region around 800 CE, putting serious pressure on farming and water supplies in many cities. While some scientists believe this drought helped cause the Maya collapse, others point out that many cities in...

As the Maya civilization neared its collapse, warfare became more intense and brutal in some regions, with some cities being destroyed and elites massacred. Evidence from sites like Kiuic and Aguateca shows that violence overwhelmed...

An explorer discusses some of the reasons why the Maya civilization may have disappeared

In which John Green teaches you about water! So, we talk about resources a lot on Crash Course, and today is no exception. It turns out people can't live without water, which means it's absolutely necessary for civilization. Today John...

This is a video documenting the history of the Maya Civilization. It documents its achievements as well as its downfall. Check out our TpT store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Reading-Through-History Check out our website:...

The Maya collapse wasn’t just a Maya event—many other major cities in Mesoamerica fell around the same time. In the Postclassic period that followed, royal power faded and many cities shifted to shared rule by noble families, trade moved...

The Maya collapse didn’t have one clear cause—it happened in different ways across different regions. While war, environmental stress, and power struggles all played a role, the real story is how the Maya responded by transforming their...

During the 9th century, foreign styles in art, pottery, writing, and buildings began to show up in Maya cities—especially those trying to bounce back. Some rulers even showed themselves with both Maya and foreign features, suggesting...

During the late 700s and early 800s, environmental changes began to affect Maya cities. Some of these problems may have been caused by the Maya themselves - deforestation and soil overuse may have led to food shortages and population...

In the late 700s and early 800s, Maya nobles started gaining more power as royal authority began to weaken. At cities like Copán and Yaxchilan, nobles built their own monuments and played bigger roles in government, which had been...

Even as many Maya cities fell during the 9th century, some places like Caracol, Seibal, and sites in the northern Yucatán managed short-lived comebacks. These cities built monuments and revived traditions for a while, but most eventually...

Step into the world of the Maya, a powerful civilization known for its amazing cities, towering pyramids, and deep knowledge of the stars. The Maya built beautiful temples, invented one of the earliest writing systems, and created a...

With their impressive city structures and advanced astronomical understanding, the Maya civilization once dominated Mesoamerica. Learn about the Maya's influence in mathematics, how their cosmic calendars advised agricultural matters,...

An explorer looks at the Ancient Maya form of writing, the hieroglyphs and a mention of the Dresden Codex

This short video gives an overview of the Maya people: where they originated and where they lived.

This short video explains some of the building techniques and the tools the Ancient Maya used

This short video takes a brief look at the Ancient Maya numbering system which was based on 20 rather than 10 like ours is now.

The Maya culture was one of the most powerful and longest lasting civilizations in the history of the world. For thousands of years, they dominated the Yucatán peninsula in Central America. The Maya were fierce warriors who practiced...

Hank talks about the Maya, and helps dispel some myths about their historic civilization, revealing how, ultimately, they were just like us: smart, flawed, and awesome.

Chichen Itza was one of the largest Maya cities and it was likely to have been one of the mythical great cities, or Tollans, referred to in later Mesoamerican literature. The city may have had the most diverse population in the Maya...

A Maya warrior describes the city of Chichen Itza and some of its buildings.

Archaeology for Kids Mayan Ruins V1-0004 The Mayan civilization made significant contributions in the fields of astronomy, mathematics, and architecture. They developed a complex calendar system that accurately predicted celestial...

Un-Belizable! We're off on a Central American Mayan excursion on this episode of Travel Thru History! Belize City, is a popular tropical hotspot on the coast of the country of Belize. Belize is considered the heartland of the Maya...