Which genius ideas and inventions began with the Maya? What did they develop that we use to this day? In this book, aimed at readers aged nine and over, find out how the Maya built their cities to suit the landscape and population, traded their resources and developed a complex system of writing. Discover their brilliant developments in farming, astronomy and cloth-making and how they have influenced the way we live today.

The Genius Of series helps children aged 9 plus to explore the major discoveries, inventions, influence and legacies of key periods in history. Titles in the 8-book series look at the genius of: the ancient Egyptians, the ancient Greeks, the Anglo-Saxons, the Benin Kingdom, the Maya, the Romans, the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages and the Vikings.

Izzi Howell is an award-winning author and editor of over fifty children's books. She lives in East Sussex and enjoys learning languages, cooking and travelling around Europe. Her book Cats React to Science Facts was the winner of the Best Laugh Out Loud Book for 6-8 year-olds award at The Lollies and winner of The Royal Society Young People's Book Prize in 2020.