- Type: Hands-on Activity
- Collection: Ancient American Art, Ancient Art, Pre-Columbian Art
- Culture/Region: America
- Subject Area: History and Social Science, Visual Arts
- Grade Level: K-6
The ancient Maya people had a writing system made up of over 500 different hieroglyphs! They wrote stories, about their beliefs and important people in their town, by drawing symbols in vertical columns that were read left to right. The Maya often drew such stories on clay vessels to decorate these useful objects. Use the symbols or make new symbols to create your own story!
Instructions
- Think of what you would like to draw on your vessel. Look at the hieroglyphs on this page for ideas!
- Draw your ideas on the rectangular shape to the left and color in your design. Consider using browns and reds to depict the natural pigments (colors) used on Maya vessels.
- Cut along the solid line and glue the paper around a recycled tin can.
- What will you store in your container?