Mesoamerican Academic Vocabulary

Ceremonial Centers Ceremonial Centers- Areas where people would gather for religious ceremonies.

Glyphs Glyphs- a type of hieroglyphics where picture-symbols represent objects, ideas, and sounds.

Conquistador Conquistador- powerful soldiers on a mission to gain wealth and territory for the nation of Spain by conquering other peoples. (Spanish Conquerors)

Cenotes Cenotes- deep, natural wells that the Mayans built their cities near because of the lack of rivers in the region.

Terrace Farming Terrace Farming-a method of growing crops on the sides of hills or mountains. To do this, people grade the steep land into a series of level terraces or benches.

Slash and Burn Farming Slash and Burn Farming- Mayan’s would cut and burn part of the rain forest to provide land for growing crops. This was only good for up to 3 years and then the fields were left fallow (unplanted) to rejuvenate.

Intercropping Intercropping – planting different crops together.

Chinampas Chinampas – human-made islands made from natural materials. The Aztecs used these “floating gardens” to plant vegetables.

Causeway Causeway – a human-made land bridge.

Mesoamerica The region that includes central and southern Mexico and Central America; also called Middle America