Ancient Civilizations of the Western Hemisphere

Ancient Civilizations of the Western Hemisphere Maya, Aztec, & Inca

Maya - Location southern Mexico into northern Central American called the Yucatan Peninsula

Maya - Climate dense, steamy rain forests

Maya – Time Period 250-900 a.d.

Maya – Government independent city-states ruled by kings – seen as god-king, established dynasties

Maya – Key City Chichen Itza

Maya – Economy • 1. Agriculture – maize, beans, squash • 2. Trade – salt, flint, feathers, shells, honey, jade ornaments, textiles

Maya – Religion • 1. Polytheistic – many gods • 2. Pyramids – dedicated to gods and famous rulers • 3. Worship included material offerings, bloodletting, human sacrifice • 4. Calendar – 260 days, 20 months, 13 days each month - 365 day solar calendar, different gods ruled different days • 5. Mathematics and astronomy – concept of zero, calendar planning

Maya – Writing • 800 glyphs (symbols), on bark-paper called codex

Maya – Decline • war and conflict between city states, overuse of land

Aztec - Location Central Mexico – Valley of Mexico, Modern day Mexico City

Aztec - Climate Hot, large shallow lakes, good resources, fertile soil

Aztec – Time Period 1200 – 1521 A.D.

Aztec – Government • Triple Alliance with Texcoco and Tlacopan, 38 provinces, Emperor with absolute power - loose control over empire with exception of tribute payments

Aztec – Key City • Tenochtitlan = capital

Aztec – Economy 1. Agriculture – maize, cacao beans, cotton 2. Trading Network – with Tenochtitlan as ultimate marketplace

Aztec – Religion 1. Polytheistic 2. Built temples and pyramids 3. 2 calendars 4. Human sacrifices to sun god

Aztec – Writing No real mention – writing system of pictures derived from earlier MesoAmerican cultures

Aztec – Decline • Montezuma II reign – rebelling tribes • Spanish – Cortez conquered Aztecs in 1521

Inca – Location • Andes Mountains of South America – Southern Peru

Inca – Climate • Mountainous

Inca – Time Period • 1400- 1532 A.D.

Inca – Government • Believed that ruler was a descendent from the Sun god • Nobility – ruling families • Bureaucracy – used small groups to work for the common good • Built extensive road system

Inca – Key City • Cuzco = capital • Machu Picchu – mysterious religious center or royal resort

Inca – Economy 1. Run by the state – regulated production of goods 2. Agriculture on terraced hillsides – maize and quinoa (grain)

Inca – Religion 1. Polytheistic – natural spirits of moons, stars, sun, thunder, etc. 2. 2 Calendars 3. Sacrifices

Inca – Writing • None, but had string/knot math/accounting system

Inca – Decline • Civil War between two sons of a king and Pizarro

Ancient Civilizations of the Western Hemisphere