Ancient Americas Webquest

Directions Read each of the slides at the beginning of each section and follow the instructions. You will be asked questions based on the introduction, so make sure you read it! Make sure you read ALL the slides.

Architecture and Urban Development The Maya, Aztec and Inca civilizations rose at different times in history, however, all built extraordinary cities and ritual (religious) complexes. They did this without the use of the wheel or metal tools. Rather, through careful planning and the use of locally available materials, these peoples accomplished feats of engineering and architecture that rival those of civilizations in the Old World. In this lesson, you will examine images of the Maya, Aztec and Inca ruins that provide evidence of this achievement. Click to the next slide after you answer question 1.

Tikal: North and Central Acropolis Click on the link below then follow the instructions to answer the questions 2-4 on your sheet. Read the text below the pictures to gather more information for your answers. Map.html Map.html

Foundation of Tenochtitlan Read the text and answer question 5. / daron.html / daron.html

Images of Machu Picchu Go to this image to answer question

Daily Life and Culture In this lesson you will study primary sources that provide insight into daily life in the Maya, Aztec and Inca civilization. In all of these cultures, goods needed in daily life were made by hand then exchanged within families and communities or in markets. As you study these sources, think about the fact that many individuals had to engage in a variety of specialized activities and then share their work in some way so that the empires could flourish. Click to the next slide after you answer question 9.

Mayan Loom Study the image. The simple loom is called a “backstrap loom” because women and girls would tie one end to a tree, place a strap at the other end behind their backs, and so extend their weaving out in from of them anywhere they want. research/cr- sub/ethnology/mayan/technology/backstrap.html research/cr- sub/ethnology/mayan/technology/backstrap.html

Herman Cortes: from Second Letter to Charles V You may find these definitions helpful: – “Temixitilan”- Cortes’s word for Tenochtitlan – “porticoes”- doorway or entryways – “wrought and unwrought stone”- stones that have been shaped, and those that are plain – “apothecaries’ shops”- pharmacies/drugstores – “braziers”- a pan holding burning coals, or a grill – “maize”- corn – “magistrates”- judges Click on the link and answer questions

Religion In many cultures, the practice of religion has civic importance. In other words, people do worship not only to express their personal faith, but also to please the gods and win the gods’ blessing and protection. They may also worship to ensure that the cycle of life continues: that the sun rises in the morning and the rain falls upon the earth. In this lesson you will study several different sources: a passage from the Mayan Popul-Vuh (a creation myth), images from an Aztec ritual, and a historic text on the Incan solstice ritual Raymi. In these sources, you will see what or whom these ancient Americans considered sacred. You will also learn about specific practices used to worship the gods. After you have answered question 14, go to the next slide.

Mayan City of Mirador Click on the link, watch the video and answer question Gbw&feature=related Gbw&feature=related

Congratulations! You have completed the Ancient Americas Webquest! To show that you have read ALL of the slides in this presentation, write the name of your social studies teacher on the top left side of the front page of your assignment! Now answer question 16 in paragraph form!