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Civilizations of the Americas

Civilizations of the Americas. The Maya 300-900 A.D. Aztec 1200-1500 A.D. Inca 1400-1535 A.D. Location. Aztec Empire – The Valley of Mexico located in the high plateau of central Mexico Mayas – From the Yucatan in southern Mexico through much of Central America Incas – western South America.

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Civilizations of the Americas

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  1. Civilizations of the Americas The Maya 300-900 A.D. Aztec 1200-1500 A.D. Inca 1400-1535 A.D.

  2. Location • Aztec Empire – The Valley of Mexico located in the high plateau of central Mexico • Mayas – From the Yucatan in southern Mexico through much of Central America • Incas – western South America

  3. Geography of the Americas

  4. Type of Government • Aztec Empire – A single ruler, an emperor who was chosen by a council of nobles and priests. • Maya – Divided into city-states with a ruling chief for each city-state. • Inca – A “sapainca” who was supreme ruler, owned everything and was divine.

  5. Religion • Aztec – Polytheistic, priests were powerful; many human sacrifices to the god Quetzalcoatl who was the sun god. His giant pyramid towered above central Tenochtitlan.

  6. Religion • Maya – Polytheistic; priests held power because only they could perform important ceremonies. • Priests held sacrifices on platforms of high temples while ordinary people watched from below.

  7. Religion • Inca – Polytheistic • The Ruler was also the chief religious leader. • Polytheistic; belief in many nature spirits • A powerful class of priests served the gods • Chosen Women – special attendants had honored role in Incan ritual.

  8. Agriculture • Aztec – Farmed on “floating islands” or chinampas to create more farmland • Grew corn, squash and beans • Used canals and aqueducts for transportation.

  9. Agriculture • Maya– slash and burn method: Cut down tropical forest; burn brush and spread ashes for fertilizer. • Grew corn, beans, squash, fruit trees, flowers • Incas– Used irrigation; grew 700 kinds of potatoes on mountain slopes; terrace farming. • Terrace farming because of mountains.

  10. Advances • Aztecs – Had a calendar – excelled in math and astronomy; used herbs for medicine; priests recorded laws and history; extensive trade networks • Maya – Had a number system and zero; a calendar; bark books and used hieroglyphic writing

  11. Advances • Incas – Great Road System through the mountains • Roads helped army and messengers • Pottery/Weaving • Quipus-knotted ropes for record keeping • Calendar • Medicinal Herbs

  12. Buildings/Cities • Aztec– Tenochtitlan was the capital city. • It was located in Lake Texcoco and was connected to the mainland by causeways. • The city contained temples, palaces, zoos and floating gardens. It was the center of the empire

  13. Buildings/Cities • Maya – Pyramid temples • Palaces • Carved Pillars

  14. Buildings/Cities • Inca - Ceremonial Centers • Stone building (can’t get a knife through the stones) and engineering • Cuzco - capital • Machu Picchu • Machu Picchu

  15. Social Classes

  16. How Did the Empire End?

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