early civilizations in mesoamerica
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Early Civilizations in Early Civilizations in MesoamericaMesoamerica
Aztecs, Mayans, IncasAztecs, Mayans, Incas
Mayan CivilizationMayan Civilization 1546 BC – 1500 AD1546 BC – 1500 AD Flourished between 300-900 ADFlourished between 300-900 AD Yucatan Peninsula in MexicoYucatan Peninsula in Mexico
Mayan CivilizationMayan Civilization Each Mayan city had its own chief Each Mayan city had its own chief
rulerruler Most were peasant farmersMost were peasant farmers
Chac, God of Chac, God of Rain -->Rain -->
Tikal - Wall Tikal - Wall Mask of the Mask of the
Rain GodRain God
Mayan Mayan UndergroUndergro
und und GranariesGranaries
Mayan CivilizationMayan Civilization The nobility performed sacred The nobility performed sacred
ceremonies & assisted rulersceremonies & assisted rulers Astronomers measured the sun & Astronomers measured the sun &
moon to predict the futuremoon to predict the future
Chichen-Chichen-Itza - Itza -
ObservatoObservatoryry
Mayan CivilizationMayan Civilization The Maya engaged in frequent wars The Maya engaged in frequent wars
& captured soldiers were sacrificed& captured soldiers were sacrificed They developed a ball game thought They developed a ball game thought
to have a religious significanceto have a religious significance
Mayan CivilizationMayan Civilization Around 9Around 9thth century, Mayan culture century, Mayan culture
experiences great crisisexperiences great crisis – food – food shortage, epidemic, war? shortage, epidemic, war?
Last great city-state is Chichen ItzaLast great city-state is Chichen Itza
Maya Achievements Maya Achievements BuildersBuilders – Cities, palaces, temples – Cities, palaces, temples Math and ScienceMath and Science – Complex – Complex
calender, number system based on 0calender, number system based on 0 Writing SystemWriting System – Hieroglyphics – Hieroglyphics ArtistryArtistry – Colorful murals – Colorful murals
childchild
Aztec CivilizationAztec Civilization 1200-1521, Mexico City1200-1521, Mexico City Grew crops on floating gardens Grew crops on floating gardens
(Chinampas) (Chinampas) Engaged in frequent wars to conquer Engaged in frequent wars to conquer
people in regionpeople in region
Aztec CivilizationAztec Civilization Worshipped many gods, Sun God Worshipped many gods, Sun God
was most importantwas most important Needed human blood “keep burning”Needed human blood “keep burning” Used captured warriors or volunteers Used captured warriors or volunteers
(Volunteers???) (Volunteers???)
Wall of Skulls, TenochtitlanWall of Skulls, Tenochtitlan
Incan CultureIncan Culture 1200-15351200-1535 Andes Mountains in South AmericaAndes Mountains in South America
Incan CultureIncan Culture Lived in high altitudesLived in high altitudes = cold = cold
temperaturestemperatures Grew potatoes & other root cropsGrew potatoes & other root crops Kept llamas and alpacas for woolKept llamas and alpacas for wool
Over 100 Over 100 Different Different Types of Types of PotatoesPotatoes
Incan CultureIncan Culture Built stone roads stretching 10,000 Built stone roads stretching 10,000
milesmiles Never developed writingNever developed writing Quipu: Bundles of knotted ropes to Quipu: Bundles of knotted ropes to
count, keep records, and send count, keep records, and send messagesmessages
Incan CultureIncan Culture Ancient fortress city Machu PicchuAncient fortress city Machu Picchu Blocks weigh 50 tons eachBlocks weigh 50 tons each No cement, but perfect fitNo cement, but perfect fit
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