MAYANS - T H E P E O P L E O F C O R N

This Pamphlet will help you understand why farming Agriculture was an
important part of Mayan Culture.

What is Agriculture?
Agriculture is the practice of growing
food or raising livestock.

What is Slash and Burn?

Slash and Burn is a farming technique
the mayans used to keep their soil fer-
tile. They do it before the beginning of
the rain season. First they clear cut the
land by cutting down and burnig all of
the brush and foliage. Then, once the
rain comes, the begin to plant seeds.

What plants did they grow?

The Mayans are most famous for
growing and harvesting Corn even
though they grew many other crops.
That is why the Mayans are sometimes
May 20-August 20 (212) 769-5110 AGRICULTURE
10 AM-5:45 PM www.amnh.org
called “The People of Corn”
The People of Corn? What do you see? What do you think?
The Mayans were sometimes called “The People of Corn” because walk through rooms 5 and 6 and draw your observations.
corn was their most valuable crop. Maize was most common food 1. How is farming differnt today?
in their diet and used it to make porridge, tamales, and tortillas.
What else did they grow?

Sweet Potatoes Maize - Corn

2. What food crops do you need to survive?

3. What did you learn today?

Beans Chili Peppers Cotton