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Art & Archaeology of the Ancient Maya: Pakal the Great's Sarcophagus Lid (Teens)

Completed by 4 learners
Ages 14-18
Live One-Time Class
Human sacrifice, ancestor kings, vision serpents. Through a close examination of the sarcophagus lid of King Pakal the Great, learn about how the ancient Maya thought about and represented kingship, death, and the supernatural world.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(99 reviews)
Rising Star

Live video meetings
Meets once
1-4 learners per class
60 min

What's included

1 live meeting
1 in-class hours

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12
This class offers a glimpse into the world of the ancient Maya through the life and death of K'inich Janaab' Pakal (603 - 683 CE), also known as Pakal the Great. While Maya kingship typically was passed down from father to son, Pakal was unusual in that he did not inherit the throne from his father; instead, Pakal's mother and grandmother had ruled the city of Palenque as kings! 

Like King Tutankhamun of Egypt, Pakal became a king while still a boy and is well-known, in part, due to his tomb. However, unlike King Tut, he went on to rule until his death at age 80 and left behind a strong legacy, growing the city of Palenque from a modest one into one of the greatest Maya cities at the time.

Few ancient Maya artifacts intrigue us as much as the sarcophagus lid of Pakal the Great. Weighing about five tons, this lid made of a single stone is intricately carved with rich imagery associated with the king's journey from the world of the living to the world of the dead. By taking this course, students will learn about the symbols depicted on the sarcophagus lid, along with associated mythology about life, death, and the Maya underworld.

This class is taught with large images in a slide show for students to examine details in the sarcophagus lid as well as related images. I will ask students to make observations and point out relevant symbols and artistic choices. My teaching style is conversational, collaborative, and encouraging. My goal is to motivate curiosity and enthusiasm about our subjects. I also encourage students to ask their own questions and be active participants in the learning process.

Some knowledge of the ancient Maya is helpful, but not necessary.

Learning Goals

Students will learn about the life and legacy of King Pakal the Great.

Students will learn that the ancient Maya developed a system of beliefs to explain natural phenomena.

Students will learn about how the ancient Maya represented aspects of the natural and supernatural world in art, such as the sky band, vision serpent, and the jaws of the underworld.

Other Details

Supply List
A one-page handout will be provided.
 1 file available upon enrollment
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Sources include: Coe, Michael D. and Houston, Stephen. (2015). The Maya. Ninth edition. New York: Thames & Hudson. Coe, Michael D. and Van Stone, Mark. (2005). Reading the Maya Glyphs. New York: Thames & Hudson. Martin, Simon. (2000). Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens. New York: Thames & Hudson. Miller, Mary Ellen. (2014). Maya Art and Architecture. Second edition. New York: Thames & Hudson. Miller, Mary Ellen and Martin, Simon. (2004). Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya. New York: Thames & Hudson.

Meet the teacher

Joined March, 2021
5.0
99reviews
Rising Star
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
I double-majored in Anthropology and Archaeology at Brown University, where I took several courses related to the ancient Maya and Mesoamerica, including two semesters of Ancient Maya Writing, Mesoamerican Archaeology, The Classic Maya, and an independent study on the use of quatrefoils in ancient Maya art.

Reviews



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