by Khadija Basith, Lake Forest College
This project will be used to help students compare and contrast the height of the Maya civilization to less prosperous times. Students will do this through the use of significant Maya ceremonies. Through this comparison, students will realize the qualities required for a stable civilization. This will help students realize how societies sustain themselves. By the end of this Web Quest, students will realize that stability is one of the most important aspects of survival.
Introduction
The Maya were one of the greatest people that ever lived. They excelled in architecture, mathematics, writing, and science. They created awe-inspiring temples and highly accurate calendars. When one looks at the remains of these people, it’s hard to imagine how such a society could collapse. They were one of the most independently advanced people of their time. However, after about three hundred years, the Maya suddenly began to collapse. Why did this great civilization fall? Can we learn anything from what happened to the Maya? Archaeologists and historians have struggled with questions such as these even to this day. The wonder about whether or not the rapid advancement of the Maya impacted the collapse of this great civilization. Is there such a thing as developing too much too quickly?