Central & South American Civilizations History never looks like history when you are living through it. History never looks like history when you are living through it. John W. Gardner John W. Gardner
Civilizations 3 major civilizations Maya - Oldest of the Three Civilizations Aztec - Most war like Inca - largest Civilization
Maya Lived 3,000 years ago Lived 3,000 years ago Built the great cities of Copan & Tikal Built the great cities of Copan & Tikal Had a structured social class (pg 49, Q 1,2) Had a structured social class (pg 49, Q 1,2) Created accurate 365 day calendar Created accurate 365 day calendar Advanced numbering system that included the number 0 Advanced numbering system that included the number 0 Created a writing system called Hieroglyphics “pictures that form words carved in stone” Created a writing system called Hieroglyphics “pictures that form words carved in stone” Modern day Cancun, Mexico has many Maya ruins Modern day Cancun, Mexico has many Maya ruins
Tikal
Copan
Aztec Wonderers until 1300’s when their God told them to look for a sign Wonderers until 1300’s when their God told them to look for a sign Told to look for an Eagle sitting on top of a Cactus with a Snake in its mouth. Told to look for an Eagle sitting on top of a Cactus with a Snake in its mouth. Where ever they found this would be the place to build their capitol Where ever they found this would be the place to build their capitol The sign was found in the middle of lake Texcoco / Built causeways “raised roads” that connected to the city. The sign was found in the middle of lake Texcoco / Built causeways “raised roads” that connected to the city.
Mexican Flag Today the Eagle, Cactus & Snake appear on the Mexican flag
Elaborate Class System Elaborate Class System
Aztec Temple Causeway = raised roads
Inca Largest of the three great empires Largest of the three great empires 3,000 miles along the Pacific coast of South America 3,000 miles along the Pacific coast of South America Expansive road system to connect the empire = runners would relay information Expansive road system to connect the empire = runners would relay information At least 7 Million people At least 7 Million people Built amazing terraces for harvesting crops Built amazing terraces for harvesting crops
Superior Stone Work !
Last page All three groups were great builders of large Temples and their societies were advanced. Each empire met the standards for a being classified as a “highly civilized people” Built large cities – Organized government – Social class/division of labor – Religion – Method for keeping records