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 23, 2012. 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. It sits one and a half miles high on a mountaintop in Peru once inhibited by the Inca civilization. Bingham thought it must have been a special religious city because of the fine stonework, however archaeologists believe 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.

Maya Inca Tribes: Food Religion Hard work Slash & Burn Planting 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 Raised fields Abandoned their cities and just walked away / left Natural Disaster Disease Inca Large Empire Roads Terrace farming Andes Mts., rain forests, coastal deserts Potatoes Corn Tomatoes Avocados Peppers Strawberries 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 Govt Officials Little contact with the Mayans & Aztecs Terrace Farming Tamed llamas Counting system/quipus Spanish arrived and conquered

Aztec Tribes: Food Religion Steambath Large households Farming Everyday Life Food Religion Social Organization Achievements Fall of the Empire 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

Religion Mayans Incas Aztecs Worshiped many gods and goddesses. The 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 AZTECS Lord 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.