DAILY LIFE FOR THE MAYA

Society in the Maya civilisation formed a pyramid. At the base sat commoners, forming a crucial foundation for all above them

– artisans, traders, nobles and leaders. Someone’s place on this pyramid not only determined their place in society, but every aspect of their lives – from jobs and clothing to food and housing. While the nobles and leaders lived in large palaces made of stone, commoners resided in mud huts on the edge of the city, in single rooms designed to house the entire family, including aunts, uncles and grandparents. Commoners would even be buried beneath the floor of the same house they had lived in for their entire lives.

JOBS

 For Maya commoners, the most common occupation was farming. Maya society relied on its farmers not only for sustenance, but also for trading. Farming was incredibly hard work, as the Maya didn’t use metal tools or beasts of burden to help them.