Maya, Aztec, and Inca Civilizations

1. Maya, Aztec, and Inca Civilizations Pre-Columbian Society in North and South America

2. MesoAmerica • Maya, then Aztecs = dominant civilizations • built on the foundation of earlier civilizations eg: Olmec (the big head people) • Maize • Ball games • Temple pyramids/ritual human sacrifice • Astronomy/calendar

3. Aztecs – greenMaya - brown

4. Maya • Height – 600CE-900CE • Culturally united (NOT POLITICALLY) • City-states • Polytheistic • Nobles/Priests = elite class • Innovative agriculture b/c of poor soil (chinampas, terraces, irrigation) • Glyph writing/zero • Downfall? Overtaxed environment, internal warfare

5. Maya – Tikal

7. What’s he up to?

10. Theatre Statetallest building in the Americas until the Flatiron Bldg. in1903

11. Writing Styles

14. Aztecs • Height – 1300CE-1500CE • Invading conquerors from N. Mexico • Tenochtitlan – capital w/Emperor • Important families controlled outlying areas • Conquered people had to give tribute • Complex social hierarchy (nobles, priests, etc.) • Human sacrifice, often – used to control populace which had been conquered by this migratory group

18. Inca 1400s-1500s • South America (Andes Mts.) • Military expansionists • Governed territory of over 2,500 miles • Use of our friend, the Llama • Farmed potatoes on terraces • God-kings = intermediaries b/t heaven and earth

19. Social Hierarchy • Aristocrats lived privileged lives (fine foods, embroidered clothes, and large ears spools) • Spanish called them “big ears” Inca ear spools

20. Cuzco • Capital city • Connected to outlying areas by 16,000 m. of roads • Royal family ruled outlying areas • Tribute state - $$ to Cuzco, emperor ensured everyone has what they need • Gov’t control – trade, labor, detailed census, centralized econ, etc.

21. Taxes often paid in labor (mit’a) • Labor groups • ayllu = extended family organized groups • NO writing – used kipus!