The Maya, who lived in an area known as Mesoamerica, had a vigesimal system that was both unary and positional. Vigesimal means base 20. The Maya were also the inventors of the numeral zero. It wasn’t that other civilizations didn’t understand the concept of zero, they just didn’t create a numeral for it!
The ball, made out of rubber, was about the size of a volleyball and weighed between 6 to 10 pounds. Players would play on teams of two to four. Each team passed the ball back and forth between themselves and members of the opposing team. They were only allowed to hit the ball with their legs, arms and hips. Hitting with the hands was not permitted.
Learn how to brew Agua de Jamaica, a Mexican beverage made from hibiscus flowers. Enjoy hot or cold!
Use graph paper to draw a Greca Escalonada, a geometric design found on artifacts from South America. This activity was created by Penn Museum Global Guide Carlos José Pérez Sámano.
Learn about traditional sugar skulls. Make your own paper mache version of these calaveritas de azucar.
Aprende acerca de las calaveritas de azúcar. Haz tu propia calaverita utilizando papel maché.
An altar, or ofrenda, is a ritual display placed during Día de los Muertos, honoring the deceased. Learn more about them here, then make your own miniature version.
Un altar ofrenda es un elemento muy importante que se exhibe en los hogares durantes el Día de los Muertos, con el propósito de honrar a los seres queridos que han fallecido. Aprende acerca de los altares/ofrendas y haz tu propia versión de un altar.
Gain inspiration from the beautiful clay stamps used by the Aztec people to decorate objects, then create your own stamp.