What happened to the ancient Maya? Essay

Last updated over 2 years ago

2 questions

Note from the author:

Follow up essay to classwork.

Instructions

Below you will see three source documents to prove a claim.
A claim is a statement of belief. It can be true or false.
Pick one of the following claims to prove OR mix claims together to make your own!
Claim 1 - The Warfare Theory best explains the collapse of ancient Mayan civilization. 
Claim 2 - The Civil Strife Theory best explains the collapse of ancient Mayan civilization. 
Claim 3 - The Famine Theory best explains the collapse of ancient Mayan civilization. 
Claim 4 - The Environmental Change Theory best explains the collapse of ancient Mayan civilization. 

Required

Read with a Purpose "What Happened to the Mayan People?".

…

Source 1
Primary Source
Maya Tomb Painting
The walls of Mayan tombs were painted with scenes of important events and daily life. This tomb painting shows warriors in battle. They decorate themselves with clothing made from animals and magical symbols in belief that they will gain power from the items.
Image Credit: iStockphoto

Source 2
Secondary Source
Slash-&-Burn Agriculture
Cutting and burning plants and trees is an easy way to clear land for farming. The ashes help to fertilize and grow crops like maize. However, this slash-and-burn technique uses up the soil quickly and can be dangerous, as fires sometimes get out of control.
Image from TCI.

Source 3
Primary Source
Traditional Mayan Dwelling
Mayan peasants lived in one room huts made out of mud and interwoven poles, like the one shown below. Families would build their huts in groups around a single shared courtyard. They still build huts like this today in rural parts of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Image Credit: beatrice preve/Alamy

Required

Write an essay to prove or disprove a claim using source documents.
Make sure your essay states a claim, uses evidence, explains evidence, and links the evidence/explanation to the claim.
Rubric (How you will be graded for this essay.)
4 - I wrote an essay with a claim, used evidence, explained evidence, and linked evidence to the claim.
3 - I wrote an essay with a claim, used evidence, and explained evidence.
2 - I wrote an essay with a claim and used evidence.
1 - I wrote an essay with a claim.
0 - I did not write an essay.

…