1. Ancient Civilizations of the Western Hemisphere
Maya, Aztec, & Inca

2. Maya - Location
southern Mexico into northern Central America called the Yucatan Peninsula

3. Maya - Climate
dense, steamy rain forests

4. Maya – Time Period
C.E.
Mayan people live past 900 BUT the civilization disappears

5. Maya – Government
independent city-states ruled by kings – seen as god-king, established dynasties

6. Maya – Key City
Chichen Itza
Ball Game: Ōllamaliztli

7. Maya – Economy Agriculture – maize, beans, squash
Trade – salt, flint, feathers, shells, honey, cacao, jade ornaments, textiles

9. Maya – Religion Polytheistic – many gods
Pyramids – dedicated to gods and famous rulers
Worship included material offerings, bloodletting, human sacrifice
Calendar – 400 days, 20 months, 20 days each month
365 day solar calendar, different gods ruled different days
Mathematics and astronomy – concept of zero, calendar planning

12. Maya – Writing
800 glyphs (symbols), on bark- paper called codex

13. Maya – Decline
Mayan cities were deserted and records stopped being kept
Possible Reasons:
war and conflict between city states
overuse of land
famine
environmental change

14. Aztec - Location
Central Mexico – Valley of Mexico, Modern day Mexico City

15. Aztec - Climate
Hot, large shallow lakes, good resources, fertile soil

16. Aztec – Time Period
1200 – 1521 C.E.

17. Aztec – Government Triple Alliance with Texcoco and Tlacopan
38 provinces
Emperor with absolute power
loose control over empire with exception of tribute payments

18. Aztec – Key City
Tenochtitlan = capital

19. Aztec – Economy Agriculture – maize, cacao beans, cotton
Trading Network – with Tenochtitlan as ultimate marketplace

21. Aztec – Religion Polytheistic Built temples and pyramids 2 calendars
Human sacrifices to sun god
Who did they sacrifice???

23. Aztec – Writing
No real mention – writing system of pictures derived from earlier MesoAmerican cultures

24. Aztec – Decline Montezuma II reign – rebelling tribes
Spanish – Cortez conquered Aztecs in 1521

25. Inca – Location
Andes Mountains of South America – Southern Peru

26. Inca – Climate
Mountainous

27. Inca – Time Period
A.D.

28. Inca – Government
Believed that ruler was a descendent from the Sun god
Nobility – ruling families
Bureaucracy – used small groups to work for the common good
Built extensive road system to connect empire

30. Inca – Key City Cuzco = capital
Machu Picchu – mysterious religious center or royal resort

32. Inca – Economy Run by the state – regulated production of goods
Agriculture on terraced hillsides – maize and quinoa (grain)

34. Inca – Religion
Polytheistic – natural spirits of moons, stars, sun, thunder, etc.
2 Calendars
Sacrifices

35. Partner Discussion Question
What might this be used for???

36. Inca – Writing
None, but had string/knot math/accounting system called quipu

37. Inca – Decline
Civil War between two sons of a king and Pizarro