Mayans

[black_rose]

I have to do a role play on a culture/religion/country and for mine I am doing an ancient mayan death. I was wondering if anyone knew how the death ceremony or whatever they had for deaths happened? my teacher had told me that they put the dead person on a chair and below it was fire and that it was to stuck all the moisture out of the person but as I have been doing some research, I have not read about that. does anyone have any sources or any idea of how the ancient mayans had there death ceremony/ritual?

[Squiggles]

Well... The first thing I would do is post an inquiry on a BARGAIN HUNTING website known for its smartasses like me that post annoyed replies to people who try to get us to do their homework, and say things like - DO YOUR OWN FRIGGIN' HOMEWORK.

[UrbanPoet]

do your own HOMEWORK!

[Cacti]

Well... The first thing I would do is post an inquiry on a BARGAIN HUNTING website known for its smartasses like me that post annoyed replies to people who try to get us to do their homework, and say things like - DO YOUR OWN FRIGGIN' HOMEWORK.

do your own HOMEWORK!

[Alvito]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_civilization

[batman321123]

PM, I'm actually an ancient Mayan. I did the ritual thing on my late uncle 3 years ago. Me and 800 other still-living Mayans. Don't ask me my age, because trust me, you do not want to know. Anyways, I don't want to discuss our secret methods here, so PM and I will tell you.

[perplexed_one]

PM, I'm actually an ancient Mayan. I did the ritual thing on my late uncle 3 years ago. Me and 800 other still-living Mayans. Don't ask me my age, because trust me, you do not want to know. Anyways, I don't want to discuss our secret methods here, so PM and I will tell you.

for an ancient Mayan, you sure are tech-savvy

[MrDisco]

my teacher had told me that they put the dead person on a chair and below it was fire and that it was to stuck all the moisture out of the person but as I have been doing some research, I have not read about that. does anyone have any sources or any idea of how the ancient mayans had there death ceremony/ritual?

edit: sorry in good consciousness i can't let this stand. it was just a joke .. please don't use this in your homework.

Your teacher is quite wrong.

As my family tree has ancestors that can trace their roots back to the Mayan civilization, I feel uniquely qualified to answer this question.

Contrary to popular belief, fire was not directly used in their death ritual. When someone of royalty died, the body was covered with the blood from a young man and woman were sacrificed at the alter at the Sun Pyramid. Their offering was in deference to the god Gukumatz, who was the god of the four elements (fire, earth, air and water). The covering of the blood was in hopes the body would be 'recycled' into one of these crucial elements as each element was associated with a plant or animal:
Air - Eagle
Earth - Corn
Fire - Ants
Water - Fish

The body would be left at the alter for 40 days/nights at which point the high priest would cover the remains. an intricate pattern would be drawn on the shroud, while gold coins would be placed near the head (both as 'payment' to the underworld god and as replacement eyes for the soul to 'see' where they are headed). The body would be carried from the pyramid to a burial mound that was forbidden by the common populace to enter.

For regular people (aka slaves) not much was done by way of ceremony.

[batman321123]

for an ancient Mayan, you sure are tech-savvy

Gotta stay with the times

[manixc]

PM, I'm actually an ancient Mayan. I did the ritual thing on my late uncle 3 years ago. Me and 800 other still-living Mayans. Don't ask me my age, because trust me, you do not want to know. Anyways, I don't want to discuss our secret methods here, so PM and I will tell you.

ygpm

[Diamondog]

WOW a guy comes in here asking for a little help maybe someone has some knowledge on the subject and he gets is a bunch of RFD veterans being ignorant. MrDisco is the only one that provided anything beneficial and positive to the post...good for you guys, true RFD spirit!

[Fanboy]

Yes, please OP make good use of MrDisco's "help". Let us know how that report goes.

[Emancipated]

Go read the Wiki on the Mayan and the Mayan culture. It's a better start than where this thread is going. Some times people are more receptive to helping if you showed a little effort on your own part. Do a bit of research and come back. Some people here are very smart.