Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca Mesoamerica Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca

Olmec (1200-400 B.C.) First developed civilization along Mexico’s Gulf coast Farmers and lived in thatched huts Religious peoples ruled by priests; built temples, monument and pyramids Prosperous civ. mysteriously disappeared

Maya (250-900 A.D) Lived on the Yucatan peninsula (present day southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and western El Salvador Built at least 80 cities largest in Tikal

Maya (250-900 A.D)

Maya (250-900 A.D) Gods Itzamna—god of creation “lizard house” Ixchel—moon goddess, weaving and medicine Kukulcan—feathered serpent god of the kings

Pok-a-Tok: Mayan Ball Game Sacred game of life and death to please the gods (battle b/w sun, moon, stars) OR played amongst city-states for control. Largest court is located at Chichen Itza (size of football field) Object of game is to get small rubber ball (6 lbs) through stone hoop (20 ft) only using knees, chest, hips, and elbows pts varied Losing OR winning team/or captain would be sacrificed

Pok-a-Tok: Mayan Ball Game

EAE: Maya Questions Take out a piece of paper and answer these questions in complete sentences!! How did Pacal become King? How did the Mayans communicate within the temples? What are some causes to the Mayan collapse? Which Mayan god can be associated with the temple Chichen itza?

Aztec (1200’s-1500’s) Warlike people who lived on Lake Texcoco Center of trade and channels was Tenochtitlan Ruled by an emperor. Nobles ruled cities and were judges

Aztec (1200’s-1500’s)

Aztec (1200’s-1500’s) Religion was very important  Huitzilopochtli the god of sun and war Human sacrifice was necessary to stay strong

EAE: Aztec & Notes Questions Which city is the center of trade? Why were the Aztecs forced to settle on Lake Texcoco? What did the “eagle perched upon a cactus in the middle of the lake” represent? The Aztecs plucked the feathers of this bird (with a 3 foot tail) to make headresses. What are some reasons the Aztecs collapsed?

Inca (same time as Aztecs) Located along the South Am. (Peru) in the Andes mountains Accomplishments: Developed Quechua language Quipu—counting/keeping records; by tying knots they took a census and collected taxes

Inca (same time as Aztecs)

Inca (same time as Aztecs) Skilled builders; used mortar; constructed Machu Picchu (summer home for emperors) Art/weaving and skilled metal works

Machu Picchu