1. Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca
Mesoamerica
Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca

2. Olmec ( B.C.)
First developed civilization along Mexico’s Gulf coast
Farmers and lived in thatched huts
Religious peoples ruled by priests; built temples, monument and pyramids
Prosperous civ. mysteriously disappeared

4. Maya ( A.D)
Lived on the Yucatan peninsula (present day southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and western El Salvador
Built at least 80 cities largest in Tikal

5. Maya ( A.D)

6. Maya (250-900 A.D) Gods Itzamna—god of creation “lizard house”
Ixchel—moon goddess, weaving and medicine
Kukulcan—feathered serpent god of the kings

7. Pok-a-Tok: Mayan Ball Game
Sacred game of life and death to please the gods (battle b/w sun, moon, stars) OR played amongst city-states for control.
Largest court is located at Chichen Itza (size of football field)
Object of game is to get small rubber ball (6 lbs) through stone hoop (20 ft) only using knees, chest, hips, and elbows pts varied
Losing OR winning team/or captain would be sacrificed

8. Pok-a-Tok: Mayan Ball Game

9. EAE: Maya Questions
Take out a piece of paper and answer these questions in complete sentences!!
How did Pacal become King?
How did the Mayans communicate within the temples?
What are some causes to the Mayan collapse?
Which Mayan god can be associated with the temple Chichen itza?

10. Aztec (1200’s-1500’s) Warlike people who lived on Lake Texcoco
Center of trade and channels was Tenochtitlan
Ruled by an emperor. Nobles ruled cities and were judges

11. Aztec (1200’s-1500’s)

12. Aztec (1200’s-1500’s)
Religion was very important  Huitzilopochtli the god of sun and war
Human sacrifice was necessary to stay strong

13. EAE: Aztec & Notes Questions
Which city is the center of trade?
Why were the Aztecs forced to settle on Lake Texcoco?
What did the “eagle perched upon a cactus in the middle of the lake” represent?
The Aztecs plucked the feathers of this bird (with a 3 foot tail) to make headresses.
What are some reasons the Aztecs collapsed?

14. Inca (same time as Aztecs)
Located along the South Am. (Peru) in the Andes mountains
Accomplishments:
Developed Quechua language
Quipu—counting/keeping records; by tying knots they took a census and collected taxes

15. Inca (same time as Aztecs)

16. Inca (same time as Aztecs)
Skilled builders; used mortar; constructed Machu Picchu (summer home for emperors)
Art/weaving and skilled metal works

17. Machu Picchu