1. Early Civilization in the Americas 200-1500

2. Pre-Columbian
Civilizations

3. The Maya

4. Origins Classical Period 250-900
Location-S. Mexico, northern C. America
Practiced slash and burn agriculture (poor rainforest soils)
Population was never very dense (30 sq. mi?)

7. Cities (Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Tikal, etc
Cities (Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Tikal, etc.) mainly religious, ceremonial centers
Each independent-controlled surrounding countryside
Center-pyramid temple

8. Chichen-Itza

9. Tikal

10. Mayan Hieroglyphs

11. Decline Cities abandoned by 900
Classical period came to an end, but life changed little
Overpopulation, disease, or drought might have disrupted Mayan life

12. The Aztec

13. Origins Moved into Valley of Mexico-1200’s
Established city of Tenochtitlan

16. Organization Roads linked empire
Developed calendar for religious purposes
Tribute paid by conquered peoples
Practiced extensive human sacrifice

17. Aztec human
sacrifice ritual

18. "The divine drink, which builds up resistance and fights fatigue
"The divine drink, which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink permits a man to walk for a whole day without food.” Montezuma II

19. The Inca

20. The Inca Empire: Origins and Organization
Formed in 1400’s
Centered in Andes Mtns. (in modern Peru)
Height-20m. people, 2K mi. n-s
Incorporated local rulers
Conquered people performed public service-mi’ta

21. No written language, only quipu
Extensive road system
Precisely engineered stone structures

22. Inca Terraces

23. Inca-style rope bridge

24. Inca Stonework

25. Machu Picchu

26. Road to Machu Picchu