1. DECEMBER 3, 2015 Turn in Vocab Vocab Quiz
Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations notes

2. What do all these things have in common?
Number 0, corn, llama, calendar, architecture, medicine, bridges, terraced farming, tomatoes, potatoes,

4. Geography of Mesoamerica
Located in Mexico and Central America
Warm and tropical climate
Bordered by the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea/Gulf of Mexico
Geography made for limited contact
Lowlands
West borders Pacific Ocean, fertile plain
Yucatan Peninsula
Cenotes (excavated caverns) for water in east
Highlands
granite and volcanic area of Sierra Madre (Mexican Chiapas, Guatemala, Honduras)
Rich land, abundant water
Concentrated settlement

5. The Mayans Flourished from 300-900 AD Complex agricultural society
Grew maize, beans, squash, tomatoes
Established large city-states such as Chichen Itza, Copan, and Tikal

6. Mayan Religion Very important in everyday life
Focused on human sacrifice to ensure bountiful harvests and victories in battle
Built large pyramids for sacrifice and worship
Polytheistic

7. Mayan Society Caste society Pok-a-Tok (Ball Game)
Ruling Chief
Nobles
Merchants and Artisans
Farmers (most people were farmers)
Pok-a-Tok (Ball Game)
Pierced ears, tattoos, body painting, straight black hair
Large headdress for importance

8. Mayan Economy
Goods from the highlands were traded with those from the lowlands
Barter system
Transported by man, no large animals

9. Mayan achievements Developed a system of writing
Created an accurate calendar
Established numbering system that included zero
Astronomy

11. Mayan Leaders Treated as gods Dynastic rule
Each leader built a temple to show their power
Famous leaders
Pakal of Palenque
Yik’in Chan K’awiil

12. Geography of Aztecs More interior
Capital at Tenochtitlan (modern day Mexico City)

13. Aztec Civilization
Nomadic tribe that settled in the Valley of Mexico around 1400 AD
Many competing small empires
war ends in 1428
Triple Alliance
(Texcoco, Tlacopan, and Tenochtitlan)
Empire lasts from
Home to roughly 1.25 million people

14. Tenochtitlan

15. Mexico City today

16. Agriculture
Chinampas: “floating” crop islands

17. Economy/Trade Large markets in every city state
Surplus goods traded at markets
Conquered people and made them pay tribute

18. Religion Polytheistic Center of everyday life
Based on human blood sacrifice
World would not function without sacrifice
Prisoners of war, maidens, youths

19. Main Gods Huitzilopoctli: God of Sun
Human sacrifice ensured the sun would rise every day
Tlaloc: God of Rain

20. Architecture

21. Geography of Incan Empire
Extended along the Andes Mountains in South America
High elevation, steep terrain

22. The Incan Empire Reached its peak in the early 1500’s
Existed from 1000 AD-1560’s AD
Empire expanded over 2,000 miles
Controlled over 12 million people

23. Society Society was very stable and organized
Ruled by an emperor who had absolute power
He also acted as religious leader
Son of the Sun God
Forced conquered peoples to assimilate
The 2nd highest tier of the population were the local governors (collected taxes), Coya (religious leaders) and Nobles

24. Agriculture
Terraced farming
Farmed corn, potatoes, coffee, and grain

25. Religion Polytheistic Offered food, clothing and drink
Some sacrifice, not as much as Aztecs
Sun God of Inti

26. Incan Cities
Cuzco
Capital city
Machu Picchu
Most well preserved city

27. Achievements Elaborate system of roads Domesticated the Llama
Terraced farming
Communication/record keeping
Quipus: Knotted ropes
Excelled in medicine
Expertise in metal works