1. Maya, Aztec, Inca

2. Mayan Map

3. Maya 250 BC – 900 AD Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala
Cities: Tikal, Chichen Itza
Written language-hieroglyphics
Pyramids
Farming-raised fields, canals, corn

4. Maya Astronomy Calendar Concept of zero
Predicted spring/fall equinoxes
Religion-many gods: sun, rain

5. Aztec map

6. Aztecs 1325-1521 AD Mexico Capital city: Tenochtitlan
Built on an island
Causeways
Canals
Chinampas
Temples and pyramids

7. Aztecs Legend – how they found the place to build their city
Eagle, cactus, snake
Religion-many gods
Warriors

8. Aztec Calendar -The Aztecs used a Calendar similar to
The Mayans. It had a 365 day a year
Calendar.
-In the mythology of the Aztecs, the
first age of mankind ended with the
animals devouring humans. The
second age was finished by wind, the
third by fire, and the fourth by water.
The present fifth epoch is called
Nahui-Olin (Sun of Earthquake), which
began in 3113 BC and will end on
December 23, It will be the last
destruction of human existence on Earth.

9. Aztec Writing
The Aztec Language was based on symbols representing writing.
They would combine symbols to create sentences.

10. Mythology
According to an Aztec myth, the white-faced Quetzacuatl - their most important god.
He is the god of intelligence and the god of creation.

11. Inca Map

12. Inca 1438-1533 AD South America 2500 miles of territory
Coastal area plus Andes Mountains
Cuzco-capital city
Machu Piccu-lost city
Stone work
Pyramids
Messengers

13. Inca Farming-terraces No written records-everything by messenger
Quipu-record keeping
Gold
Religion-many gods

14. Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1911 by explorer Hiram Bingham. It
sits one and a half miles high on a mountaintop in Peru once inhibited by
the Inca civilization. Bingham thought it must have been a special
religious city because of the fine stonework, however archaeologists
believe it was some type of vacation resort for Inca nobles.
Over 3,000 steps connect the levels of the city and farming terraces.
It could only be reached by a log bridge on a sheer cliff. If enemies
threatened the citizens there, they would simply draw back the bridge.

15. Spanish Conquistadors
Aztecs conquered by Cortez in 1521
Inca conquered by Pizzaro in 1533
Maya-only theories about what happened to them.

16. Maya Inca Tribes: Food Religion Hard work Slash & Burn Planting
Everyday Life
Food
Religion
Social Organization
Achievements
Fall of the
Empire
Maya
Hard work
Slash & Burn
Planting
Building / Architecture
Irrigation
Birds, Rabbits, Monkeys, Deer
Wild fruits
Nuts
Vegetables corn, squash, beans, etc.
Many different gods
13 layers of heavens above the earth
9 underworlds
Sacrifices
Worship Dead
Lord
Nobles
Priests
Merchants / Artisans
Peasants
Slaves
Legends
Architecture
Hieroglyphics
Ball Game
Calendars
Astronomy
Mathematics
Raised fields
Abandoned their cities and just walked away / left
Natural Disaster
Disease
Inca
Large Empire
Roads
Terrace farming
Andes Mts., rain forests, coastal deserts
Potatoes
Corn
Tomatoes
Avocados
Peppers
Strawberries
Beans
Chocolate
Many gods and goddesses
God of nature Viracocha
Sun god –Inti
Daily prayers
Festivals
Sapa Inca descendant of the Sun god – wife Coya
Govt Officials
Little contact with the Mayans & Aztecs
Terrace Farming
Tamed llamas
Counting system/quipus
Spanish arrived and conquered

17. Aztec Tribes: Food Religion Steambath Large households Farming
Everyday Life
Food
Religion
Social Organization
Achievements
Fall of the
Empire
Aztec
Steambath
Large households
Farming
Crafting
Trade
Maize (corn)
Beans
Squash
Chili Peppers
Tomatoes
Wild game
Gods
Goddesses
A Patron God for each village
Royal Family/Upper class nobles
Commoners
Serfs
Slaves
Architecture
Calendars
Trade / Canals
Markets
Sculptures
Weaving
(Spanish)
Cortes
Conquistadors

18. Religion Mayans Incas Aztecs Worshiped many gods and goddesses.
The Mayans worshipped many different gods. Believed their rulers were living gods.
The Inca worshipped many gods and goddesses.
Worshiped many gods and goddesses.
Believed there were 13 layers of heavens above the earth and 9 underworlds below.
The major Incan god was the god of nature, Viracocha, the creator. Another Incan god was Inti the sun god. Gold was his symbol & he was the father of Incan rulers.
Each village & occupation had its own patron god. A different god for each day watched over them.
Ceremonies of gifts and sacrifices, such as valuables, their own blood and human sacrifices.
Believed in “divining” which is studying objects to find magic signs the gods wanted them to know. Had offerings and sacrifices as well.
Human sacrifices, men women and sometimes children.

19. Rulers MAYANS INCAS AZTECS Lord Cacao-King of Tikal
18 Gopher-Ruler of Copan
Pacal – Ruler of Palenque
Lord
Was considered a god-king
Responsible for political leadership
Lords mostly men, but women had great influence on political decisions
Pachacuti ( )
Vision to use warfare to spread Inca culture
Promise peace and gifts backed by threats
Forced conquered peoples to obey leaders & learn the language; but could keep native language, leaders & gods.
Montezuma ( /9)
Expanded the empire from the Atlantic to Pacific coasts & to Central America to what is now Guatemala.
Montezuma II – his grandson became emperor in He ruled when the empire was at its peak.