Bloodletting and the Maya
I can explain why bloodletting was important to the Maya.
Bloodletting and the Maya
I can explain why bloodletting was important to the Maya.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In another Maya city, Yaxchilán, a carved stone lintel has helped archaeologists to understand a lot about Maya beliefs.
- It shows a bloodletting ritual performed by Yaxchilán's king, Shield Jaguar the Great, and his wife, Lady K’ab’al Xook.
- Lady K’ab'al Xook pulled a thorned rope through her tongue to make it bleed so that she could speak with the gods.
- Bloodletting was important to the Maya; they believed the gods had let their blood to create the human race.
- By bloodletting, Maya rulers showed their thanks to the gods, but also showed that they were the right people to rule.
Keywords
Lintel - a lintel is the beam such as a piece of stone or wood over a door or window which supports the bricks above the door or window
Bloodletting - bloodletting was the practice of cutting part of the body to release blood
Common misconception
Bloodletting was a common and widespread practice among all Maya individuals on a regular basis.
Bloodletting rituals were primarily performed by the Maya elite, such as rulers, priests, and nobles, and were often reserved for specific ceremonial occasions or important events.
To help you plan your year 6 history lesson on: Bloodletting and the Maya, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 history lesson on: Bloodletting and the Maya, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the The Maya: what made the Maya so distinctive? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
where people gathered for important events, e.g. religious rituals
where “pok-ta-pok” was played
buildings where rulers and nobility lived
buildings dedicated to the gods
influence weather patterns and water supply
provides timber for construction
fertile land for farming
ideal for fishing and trade
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a beam such as a piece of stone or wood over a door or window
the practice of cutting part of the body to release blood
pictures or symbols that represent a word