Thousands of years ago, in what is now Guatemala, Belize, and southern Mexico, the Mayan people began to build one of history's greatest civilizations. This book details the history of the Mayan people, from the settlement of their earliest villages and farms to their demise at the hands of the Spanish in the 16th century. Readers (Grades 6-9) will discover how Mayan culture grew and developed over time and how these remarkable people continue to influence the world today.