There are three key ideas behind this unit’s place on the curriculum. Primarily it is there to show pupils that by comparison with British society in Saxon times the Maya were in many ways more advanced. Secondly, it gives due weight to other world societies so that pupils experience a balance of local British, European and world
topics. It is important to look at societies before encounters with Europeans.
Finally, it allows pupils to compare this with earlier ancient civilizations such as Egypt which is often taught to younger pupils, thus providing a context for showing progression in understanding characteristic features of past societies.
