What it was like to be an Ancient Maya

By Author / Illustrator

David Long, Stefano Tambellini

Genre

Non Fiction

Age range(s)

Publisher

Barrington Stoke

ISBN

9781800902497

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

09-05-2024

Synopsis

Embark on a captivating exploration into the rise and fall of the rich and colourful Maya civilisation with Blue Peter Award-winning author David Long.

Largely forgotten for centuries, the ancient Maya were incredible. Their cities across Central and South America featured astonishing pyramids and palaces, while they were also successful farmers and highly creative artists.

The Maya were the first people in the Americas to learn how to read and write, and they invented things like rubber, chocolate and chewing gum. They had a deep understanding of astronomy, mathematics and timekeeping, though they also had some horrible, bloodthirsty traditions such as making human sacrifices.

Find out what life as an Ancient Maya was actually like while also investigating why this mysterious civilisation was close to dying out when the region was conquered by Spanish conquistadors in the sixteenth century.

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Reviews

David Long, the acclaimed historical writer, returns to give us a third instalment in the 'What it was like to be….' series. What it was like to be an Ancient Maya will help readers develop a deeper understanding of the Maya Civilisation, and children will have a well-rounded appreciation for the Maya Culture after reading it.

This non-fiction book is full of beautifully illustrated drawings that bring historical information to life. The ancient Maya is a largely forgotten civilisation that dates back to around 2000 BCE. The book teaches us that Mayas were the first people in the America's to read and write. We also learn about their love for sports, crafts and farming. However, this ancient civilisation was a very divided society and so we also learn about the tribal warfare, human sacrifice and the inequality within the Maya society.

This book details every aspect of the Maya's traditions and culture and allows the reader to truly understand what life was like during this historical period in Mesoamerica. The last chapter in the book focuses on the mystery that surrounds the end of the Maya civilisation. Through historical enquiry, we are encouraged to understand how an epidemic started by the European settlers almost wipes out a civilisation that had been in existence for centuries.

This book is an excellent non-fiction book that would be an asset to any school library. Children in Key Stage 2 who study the Ancient Mayas will find this book entertaining and it will also deepen their understanding of their history topic by bringing it to life.

88 pages / Reviewed by Hayley Summerfield, teacher