1. Early Latin American Civilizations Maya, Aztec, Inca

2. The Maya * established between 2000 BC - 250 AD, reached height between 250 – 900 AD

3. Where were the Maya? The Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and other countries such as Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador

5. What did the Maya do? Among the most advanced peoples in the early Americas Skilled architects and engineers (pyramids) Writing system (hieroglyphs) Astronomy: predicted solar eclipses & used an agricultural calendar (365 days for seasonal planting) Math: accounting system using the number zero. Ballgame

16. What did the Maya believe? Polytheistic religion closely tied to agriculture Human sacrifices

21. How did the Maya fall? Disease Drought Over farmed the land Warfare Lost faith in kings Peasant revolt

22. The Aztecs

23. Where were the Aztecs? Central Mexico Main city: Tenochtitlan

25. What did the Aztecs do? Architecture Learned metalworking, weaving, and produced fine art. Used calendars and mathematics Military society where warriors earned prestige and power

31. What did the Aztecs believe? Worshipped Quetzalcoatl Offered human sacrifices to keep the sun god strong.

34. How did the Aztecs fall? Hernan Cortes and the Spanish Conquistadors

36. The Inca

37. Where were the Incas? Andes Mountains of South America Capital city of Cuzco

39. What did the Inca do? Ruled vast empire of many peoples Built fortresses, irrigation systems and roads. Set up an education system to teach nobles the official language, Quechua. Did not have a system of writing. Used quipu, a series of knots on strings, to keep records

43. What did the Inca believe? Inti: Sun god Owned all land It was their duty to conquer and unite all the land for Inti Smaller-scale sacrifice Machu Picchu

49. How did the Inca fall? Francisco Pizarro