1. Empires of the South Maya, Aztec, and Inca

2. Civilizations Created large civilizations  Group of people with an advance culture Had writing, record keeping, organized gov’t, religion, cities, social classes, and specialized workers

3. Maya Lived in southern Mexico Cleared swamps Farmed  Drained marshes and built terraces  Produced extra for trade Used Cacao beans like money Master builders  Had temples, stone palaces, and 1-room houses

4. Priests were the most important  Concerned about pleasing the gods  Studied astronomy Created a 365-day calendar  Skilled in math Developed numbers and the zero Had a system of writing using hieroglyphs (pictures)

5. Cities became deserted Potential causes  Climate changes  Infertile land  Invasion Maya descendents can still be found in the area www.sacred-texts.com/nam/maya/index.htm

6. Aztec Found in central Mexico Hunter-gatherers until legend told them to settle  They were to build where a eagle was sitting on a cactus  Was in the middle of a lake Built causeways (raised highways over water) to connect the island to mainland

7. Cities had pyramids, markets, schools, parks, etc. Grew food on floating mats anchored to the lake bottom  Tended by boat Were war-like  Conquered people  Required them to pay tribute- tax in good or services

8. There was a strict social system  Nobles- inherited Gov’t officials, priests, warriors  Commoners Could own land  Peasant farmers  Slaves Children were free All those but nobles had to pay tribute

9. Worshiped many gods  Most important were sun and war Priests were historians and teachers www.jazzchicago.net/

10. Inca Lived in the Andes of South America Very well organized Peaceful conquerors  Sent ambassadors before warriors Ruled from the capital of Cuzco  Ruler had great power  Controlled all goods and services

11. Most were farmers  Farmed hillsides and built irrigation systems  Gov’t owned grown food Most people worked on gov’t projects  Included a system of roads Death of their leader created problems and weakness www.kidspast.com/.../0285-inca-empire.php

12. Journal Question How did agriculture fit into the lives of these three cultures? Explain yourself.