Early Americans Comparing 3 Civilizations

Central and South American Native Civilizations: Aztecs Mayans Incas

Mayans Lived in Present day Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize. They built huge monuments and temples.

Mayans Mayans believed gods controlled everything. This gave great power to the religious leaders. The Mayans lived under a theocracy.

Mayans The Mayans were great astronomers. They developed a 365-day calendar. They also developed a writing system of Hieroglyphics.

Mayans The Mayan civilization began to decline around 900 A.D. The reason is still a mystery

Aztecs The Aztecs wandered until they saw an eagle sitting on a cactus with a snake in his beak. There they built their capital.

They created a widespread Empire. Capital City Tenochtitlan, population ¼ Mil.

Aztecs Very Advanced in Engineering, Medicine, and Sanitation. Performed early brain surgery. Washed the city streets daily.

Religion dominated way of life. Believed in Human sacrifice to keep the Gods happy. Priests had lots of power.

Demise Conquered by a European Explorer, Hernando Cortez. Most Natives were killed by diseases brought over the ocean.

Incas Lived in Highlands of South America. Largest Empire of the early Americans Civilizations. Empire stretched over 3,000 miles. Military was a major part of life.

Major achievements include building a huge network of paved roads. Developed system of record keeping.

Incas Used terrace farming because they lived in the mountains.

Assignment Now make a Venn Diagram comparing these three cultures.