Maya, Aztec, Inca

Mayan Map

Maya• 250 BC – 900 AD• Yucatan Peninsula,

Mexico, Belize, Guatemala

• Cities: Tikal, Chichen Itza

• Written language-hieroglyphics

• Pyramids• Farming-raised

fields, canals, corn

Maya

• Astronomy• Calendar• Concept of

zero• Predicted

spring/fall equinoxes

• Religion-many gods:sun, rain

Aztec map

Aztecs

• 1325-1521 AD• Mexico• Capital city:

Tenochtitlan– Built on an

island– Causeways– Canals– Chinampas

• Temples and pyramids

Aztecs

• Legend – how they found the place to build their city

• Eagle, cactus, snake

• Religion-many gods

• Warriors

Aztec Calendar-The Aztecs used a Calendar similar to The Mayans. It had a 365 day a year Calendar.

-In the mythology of the Aztecs, the first age of mankind ended with the animals devouring humans. The second age was finished by wind, the third by fire, and the fourth by water. The present fifth epoch is called Nahui-Olin (Sun of Earthquake), which began in 3113 BC and will end on December 24, 2011. It will be the last destruction of human existence on Earth.

Aztec Writing

• The Aztec Language was based on symbols representing writing.

• They would combine symbols to create sentences.

Mythology

• According to an Aztec myth, the white-faced Quetzacuatl - their most important god.

• He is the god of intelligence and the god of creation.

Inca Map

Inca• 1438-1533 AD• South America• 2500 miles of

territory• Coastal area plus

Andes Mountains• Cuzco-capital city• Machu Piccu-lost

city• Stone work• Pyramids• Messengers

Inca• Farming-terraces• No written

records-everything by messenger

• Quipu-record keeping

• Gold• Religion-many

gods

Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1911 by explorer Hiram Bingham. Itsits one and a half miles high on a mountaintop in Peru once inhibited bythe Inca civilization. Bingham thought it must have been a special religious city because of the fine stonework, however archaeologistsbelieve it was some type of vacation resort for Inca nobles. Over 3,000 steps connect the levels of the city and farming terraces. It could only be reached by a log bridge on a sheer cliff. If enemies threatened the citizens there, they would simply draw back the bridge.

Spanish Conquistadors

• Aztecs conquered by Cortez in 1521• Inca conquered by Pizzaro in 1533• Maya-only theories about what

happened to them.

Tribes: Everyday Life

Food Religion Social Organization

Achievements Fall of the

Empire

Maya •Hard work•Slash & Burn•Planting•Building / Architecture•Irrigation

•Birds, Rabbits, Monkeys, Deer•Wild fruits•Nuts•Vegetables corn, squash, beans, etc.

•Many different gods•13 layers of heavens above the earth•9 underworlds

•Sacrifices•Worship Dead

•Lord•Nobles•Priests•Merchants / Artisans•Peasants•Slaves

•Legends•Architecture•Hieroglyphics

•Ball Game•Calendars•Astronomy•Mathematics

•Irrigation•Raised fields

•Abandoned their cities and just walked away / left•Natural Disaster•Disease

Inca

•Large Empire•Roads•Terrace farming•Hard work•Planting•Andes Mts., rain forests, coastal deserts

•Potatoes•Corn•Tomatoes•Avocados•Peppers•Strawberries•Nuts•Beans•Chocolate

•Many gods and goddesses•God of nature Viracocha•Sun god –Inti•Daily prayers•Festivals

•Sapa Inca descendant of the Sun god – wife Coya•Nobles•Govt Officials•Little contact with the Mayans & Aztecs

•Roads•Terrace Farming•Irrigation•Tamed llamas•Counting system/quipus

•Spanish arrived and conquered

Aztec

•Steambath•Large households•Farming•Crafting•Trade

•Maize (corn)•Beans•Squash•Chili Peppers•Tomatoes•Wild game

•Gods•Goddesses•A Patron God for each village

•Royal Family/Upper class nobles•Commoners•Serfs•Slaves

•Architecture•Calendars•Trade / Canals•Markets•Sculptures•Weaving

•(Spanish)•Cortes•Conquistadors

Tribes: Everyday Life

Food Religion Social Organization

Achievements Fall of the

Empire

Religion Mayans Incas AztecsThe Mayans worshipped many different gods. Believed their rulers were living gods.

The Inca worshipped many gods and goddesses.

Worshiped many gods and goddesses.

Believed there were 13 layers of heavens above the earth and 9 underworlds below.

The major Incan god was the god of nature, Viracocha, the creator. Another Incan god was Inti the sun god. Gold was his symbol & he was the father of Incan rulers.

Each village & occupation had its own patron god. A different god for each day watched over them.

Ceremonies of gifts and sacrifices, such as valuables, their own blood and human sacrifices.

Believed in “divining” which is studying objects to find magic signs the gods wanted them to know. Had offerings and sacrifices as well.

Human sacrifices, men women and sometimes children.

Rulers MAYANS INCAS AZTECSLord Cacao-King of Tikal

18 Gopher-Ruler of Copan

Pacal – Ruler of Palenque

Lord•Was considered a god-king•Responsible for political leadership•Lords mostly men, but women had great influence on political decisions

Pachacuti (1438-1463)•Vision to use warfare to spread Inca culture•Promise peace and gifts backed by threats•Forced conquered peoples to obey leaders & learn the language; but could keep native language, leaders & gods.

Montezuma (1440-1468/9)

•Expanded the empire from the Atlantic to Pacific coasts & to Central America to what is now Guatemala.

•Montezuma II – his grandson became emperor in 1502. He ruled when the empire was at its peak.