1. Think about this
Which empire was the most advanced; the Maya, Aztec, or Incan.
Can you answer this question? With facts?
Why do I ask? You will see this question again! (Hint, hint)

2. Aztecs
Mayans
                                                         
Incas

3. The Maya
Location- Central America (present day Guatemala, Belize, and southeastern Mexico)
Environment-
Highlands- cool, mountainous
Lowlands- dry forest and jungles

4. Leaders and Major Cities
Tikal, Chichen Itza- (city states ruled by God-Kings, centers for religion and trade)
Pyramids, temples, stone carvings

7. Traits of the Civilization
Good farmers- planted on raised beds or hillsides.
Grew maize, squash, beans, avocados, melons, chili peppers.
Traded with neighboring countries for cotton, cacao (used as currency) , gold, jade, honey, salt.
Independent city states
Wealthy and prosperous culture.

8. Culture/Religion
Pok-A-Tok- played on ball courts, object was to move a hard rubber ball with out using hands into rings on the wall. Game played to maintain sun, moon, and rain cycles.
Polytheism (many gods)-pierce themselves, human sacrifices thrown into lake. Kulkulkan main god.
Only priests and rulers allowed in the temples.

11. Achievements Developed 2 calendars (religious one and daily one)
Astronomy
Math- zero
writing used to record history on bark-paper books (codex).

12. The Aztec Location- Mexico
Environment- Valley of Mexico, large lakes, fertile soil.

14. Leaders and major Cities
Tenochtitlan- capital, wide
streets, canals, palaces,
pyramids, busy markets,
temples, aqueducts.
Montezuma- under him the
empire weakened, demands
more tributes and sacrifices,
provinces rebel. Downfall to
the Spanish (Cortez)

16. Traits of the Civilization
CALLED THEMSELVES Mexica.
Military conquerors, demanded tributes.
Powerful army.
Highly structured society.
Religion very important- must please Gods.
Massive sacrifices.

17. Culture and Religion
Sun God- needed steady supply of blood/hearts to rise; thousands sacrificed by having heart cut out (usually prisoners).
Quetzalcoatl- feathered serpent God—didn’t need flesh, food was given in sacrifice for him.
Actually helped the Spaniards bring down the Aztecs. People thought Cortez was Quetzalcoatl.

18. Interesting fact
As many as 20,000 people were sacrificed in one day at the great temple in TENOCHTITLAN.

19. Achievements
2 calendars like Mayans- determined religious actions (tributes, worship).
Used fertilizers and irrigation systems.
Chinampas- “floating islands” to grow maize and beans.

20. Chinampas
                                                                           

21. THE INCA
LOCATION- Peru
Environment- Andes Mountains

23. Leaders and major cities
Pachacuti- expanded empire 2500 miles along coast- 16 million people, didn’t have a council of advisors.
Cuzco- heart of empire, streets, stone houses, temples.
Machu Picchu- religious center
Runners often carried messages to distant parts of the empire. They had no writing system though. So how’d they do it?

26. Traits of a civilization
Powerful military, force only when necessary.
Good diplomats- gain loyalty from enemies.
Gov’t creates unity with language and architecture.

27. Culture and Religion Labor tribute- everyone work for x days
Even the physically and mentally disabled were given daily tasks that were attuned to their capabilities. One of these tasks was chewing maize or corn and spitting it back into a big bowl. By letting this substance ferment the Inca made their own special corn beer called Chicha which they drank on festive occasions.
Culture and Religion
Labor tribute- everyone work for x days
Everyone has a job
Make sure everyone has enough food.
No writing system- oral history
King- descendent of sun god
Worshiped fewer gods than Aztecs.
Llamas and alpacas.

28. Achievements Extensive road system, bridges
Fine stone masons (no iron tools or wheel).
Quipa- accounting tool

30. What happened to the M,A,I?
Mayans- by 800’s abandoned their cities.
Aztecs conquered by Cortez (Spanish conquistador), guns and disease.
Incas Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro captured Emperor Atahualpa and stole over 24 tons of gold.

31. Mayans vs. Aztecs vs. Incas
With a partner, decide why the ________ are the most advanced and sophisticated empire.
On a post-it, justify your answer by providing 3 reasons.
Share with your answer with
another partner group and
put your post-it on the board.