Where did food come from?
There were lots of different Maya foods. The food was produced by:
- hunting
- foraging (gathering)
- farming
Most of the Maya food was grown in the fields or gardens. These were known as pet kot from the circular wall of stones that the gardens were built upon.
Many Maya foods are still prepared and eaten today.
What food was eaten most?
Ancient Maya diet was mostly maize, squash and beans
These were known as the Three Sisters
Chili peppers were popular.
Of these, maize was most popular.
It was ground up and used to make tortillas to wrap meat and beans in.
Chili peppers, tomatoes, avocado, pineapple, pumpkin and sweet potatoes were grown by tree-cropping.
Deer, armadillo, monkeys, guinea pigs, turtle and iguana were all hunted.
Fish, lobsters and shrimps caught by fishing in the sea.
What was the most special food?
The Maya were the first people to grow the cocoa plant for food.
Cocoa was a gift from the gods.
The cocoa made chocolate which was drunk at wedding ceremonies.
Activities
Activity 1: Quiz 鈥 Maya food
Activity 2: History Explorer game
Play this game to test your knowledge and learn even more facts about the ancient Maya.
History Explorer: Secrets through time
History Explorer: Secrets through time: KS2 History
Bitesize Primary games. gameBitesize Primary games
Play fun and educational primary games in science, maths, English, history, geography, art, computing and modern languages.
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