Native American Civilizations Ancient America

Civilizations of the South Of all Native American societies, those in the South were the most elaborate Incas Located in Peru, the Incas created an empire of perhaps 6 million people. Created a complex political system and had a large network of paved roads Mayas Very sophisticated written language and accurate calendar. Advanced agricultural system as well. Aztecs Built a large infrastructure Included a very harsh religion that often centered around human sacrifice.

Southern Civilizations Continued All three of these societies had economies based on agriculture, but each had distinct cities. Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital and present Mexico City, had a population of 100,000 in 1500, larger than any European city

Northern Civilizations Northern societies did not develop vast empires as those of the south did. Most of these civilizations were based on hunting and gathering. Eskimos of the Arctic Circle fished and hunted seals.

Mobile Societies Agricultural societies in the Northeast were more mobile than others. Their farming techniques were designed to exploit the land quickly Would set forest fires to clear the land Plant crops like corn, beans, squash, etc Once the land was exhausted from farming or from the settlement, they would move on.

Agricultural Revolution All over America, tribes were becoming more sedentary in the last centuries prior to European exploration. They were developing new ways of producing food, clothing and shelter. Created less of a need to move