What were Maya inventions like?

• When it rained it could be difficult to travel through the wet and muddy jungle floor.
• Roads called sacbeob were built a few inches above the ground. This meant the Maya could travel whatever the weather and conditions.
• The roads were made using stones which stopped them getting muddy.
• The longest known sacbeob is called Yaxuna-Cobá. It is 62 miles (100km) long.

Maya people did not use vehicles with wheels to move things. Instead they carried loads on their backs.

• A tumpline was a carrying device used to carry heavy loads on someone’s back.
• It allowed people to carry up to 125 pounds (around 57kg).
• The tumpline had a strap which went round the forehead.

• A metate is a stone tool that would have been used for grinding maize to make tortillas.
• This tool is still used by some Maya people today.

• The Tzolkin calendar was 260 days long and it was used to plan religious ceremonies.
• Each day has its own unique name.
• Some Maya people still use it today.

• The Haab calendar had 365 days. It could be used with the Tzolkin calendar to form a calendar wheel.
• The Maya watched the sun, moon, stars and planets to create their calendars.

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