If you travelled halfway across the world over a thousand years ago you would come across a civilisation you probably didn’t even know existed. Even further into the once- thriving cities you would find burnt forests and ancient temples that belonged to the Maya. To build these temples the Maya didn’t just need materials but a large population to farm, mine and build.

To support this vast civilisation the Maya had to hunt and farm to their extent. There farming techniques would depend on where they were located. In the lowlands, the Maya would use the slash and burn technique, this technique would consist of cutting down the trees and burning any excess to create rich soil. However this nutritious soil would only last 10 years so farmers would have to move.

However, in the highlands they would have used volcanic soil which was fuller in nutrients and would last longer.

Using these techniques the Maya would grow many crops. One of these crops was maize and would be eaten for every meal.

But the civilisation wouldn’t only need food but a vast amount of homes. These homes would be made out of Adobe, which is a mix of mud, clay water and straw. The Maya would leave this mixture out to dry and then stick it together with mud. They would live in family compounds with their extended family.

The materials needed to build these houses were very simple compared to the ones needed to build the great tombs.

The main build of a Mayan temple would be constructed out of limestone, a common stone in the Yucatan Peninsula. Limestone would be quarried and transported to temples by hand or by boat; there is no evidence the Maya had beasts of burden or wheels so transporting would have been a challenge.

The Mayans used this limestone to build up a rough mound of stone they would then add steps and sand it down. To finish off these temples the Maya would coat it in stucco to create a pleasing cement like finish. Stucco would be made out of limestone, water and sand.

The outside would have then been painted and carved for extra decoration. These carvings would have been made by skilled decorators who would have practised for years. These decorators would likely have gone to school to learn; schools were only for the rich and only 1 in 4 people knew how to read.

Using the skills they had been taught, decorators would create fascinating carvings out of jade, obsidian and turquoise.

Looking at one of these Mayan temples, you would have thought materials were the most important resource but it was actually the extensive population and the food, water and shelter that supported it.