1. Chapter 12 Latin America: Shaped by Its History
Section 1: Early Civilizations of Middle America

2. Civilization Archaeologist
Culture that has developed complex systems of government, education, and religion.
Ancient Latin American civilizations include: Maya, Aztecs, Incas
Person who studies the remains of past cultures ; study of ancient peoples and artifacts

3. The Mayas
A civilization that thrived in Central America and Mexico from about A.D. 250 to A.D. 900.
The Mayas built great cities that were economic, political, and religious centers.
Large pyramid-shaped
temples often stood in
the middle of Mayan
cities.

5. pok-ta-tok Pok-ta-tok was a game played by the ancient Mayas.
Using leather-padded hips and elbows, players tried to hit a four-pound, six-inch rubber ball through a stone hoop mounted 30 feet above the ground.

6. hieroglyphics
Hieroglyphics is a system of writing using signs and symbols; the Maya developed their own system of this type of writing to record their history and events
Scientists have used these to help them better understand the Mayan culture.

7. maize The Mayas main food and most important crop was maize, or corn.
They also grew beans, squash, peppers, avocados, and papayas.

8. Terrace Farming
Since the terrain was very hilly in the lands where the Maya lived, they cut terraces into the sides of the hills to successfully grow their crops

9. The Mayan Calendar
Mayan priests studied the stars and planets. They developed two calendars. They used one to schedule religious celebrations and the other, as we do today, to follow the seasons.
The Mayan calendar
ended in December
of 2012.

10. Concept of Zero
Scientists believe the Mayans were the first to create a number system that included zero. Zero is important in math because it is a symbol that shows there is none of something. For example, to write the number 308, you need a symbol to show that there are no tens. This concept helped to keep their calendar accurate and keep more accurate records in farming.

11. The Great Mystery of the Mayas
About A.D. 900, the Mayan cities began to decline.
No one knows why, but possible explanations include…
Crop failures
War
Disease
Drought
Famine
Rebellion against the control of the priests or nobles
Even though they declined many still remain and millions still live in Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala.

12. The Aztecs
In the 1400s, another great civilization arouse in Middle America.
The Aztecs arrived in the Valley of Mexico in the 1100s.
Tenochtitlán, the Aztec
capital, stood on the site
of present day Mexico City Its name translates to “land of the prickly pear cactus”.
-It had huge temples, busy markets,
wide streets and canals, floating
gardens, and a zoo.
Tenochtitlán was known as the
“floating city”
Tenochtilán's main temple complex

13. Lake Texcoco Tenochtitlán
Causeways, or bridges, connected the city to the mainland surrounding the island.

14. Aztec Farming
Most Aztecs were farmers. They farmed chinampas, or floating gardens, to raise crops in the dry Valley of Mexico.
They also used irrigation, or artificial systems for watering crops.

15. Market Day
Historians believe that market day in Tenochtitlán was one of the biggest in the world at that time in history, taking place every 5 days.
People traded crops, game meats, jewelry, crafts, clothing, medicines, etc. In the evenings, music, dancing, and games were enjoyed by citizens
The most valuable item to obtain was anything made with a Quetzal feather
Quetzal birds were sacred to the Aztecs, and their feathers when found on the ground were seen as a gift from the gods

16. trade
The Aztec army had a lot of power, which allowed for travelers to safely trade across long distances.
The goods were carried by people called porters, because the Aztecs did not have pack animals to carry loads.
Trade was typically done by barter, or the exchange of goods without the use of money.
Some of the goods they would
trade include: crops, weapons, crafts,
tools, jaguar skins, cacao beans,
and jewelry

17. Growing Up Aztec
Most Aztec children went to school. All schools were strict, but schools for sons of Aztec leaders were most difficult This school was known as “house of tears”.
Both boys and girls learned Aztec history and religion in school. They were taught to be honest and respectful.

18. tribute
In the 1400s, Aztec warriors began conquering the other people in the region.
They forced people to pay tribute, or payment in the form of goods. Eventually they grew rich.
Tribute could be paid in food, cotton, gold, or slaves.
Aztec Emperor: ruled over all Aztec lands
Nobles: helped the emperor govern
Soldiers: fought in wars to expand the empire and protected the trade routs
Priests: religious leaders (very important to society)

19. Aztec Religion
In the temples, priests performed rituals, including human sacrifice, or the offering of human lives, to please their gods. Aztec priests would use slaves they had collected from village tributes to sacrifice to their gods. Aztecs believed they were wealthy enough to offer their gods human life as offerings to please them.