1. Latin American Indians

3. Aztec Located in central Mexico 1200 – 16 th century when they were taken over by the Spanish Fierce warriors, conquered many people and offered them as human sacrifices to please their gods 1325: built their capital, Tenochtitlan on Lake Texcoco

5. Aztec At one time included 5 million people Built floating gardens to grow on the lake Built causeways to travel in and out of the capital Knew how to metalwork and make pottery Used a calendar to plant, harvest, and have religious rituals

7. Aztec Doctors developed 1,000s of medicines from plants. Astronomers predicted movements of the planets; designed an accurate calendar! Priests kept extensive records using hieroglyphics. Schooling - Boys studied either religion or military skills; girls learned cloth spinning and cooking.

8. Aztec Cities were religious centers; they worshipped their gods in pyramid-shaped temples. Sacrifice was an important part of the religious ceremonies (meant to honor the gods). Polytheistic (worshipped many gods): Sun, Death, Maize, Rulers, Rain, etc.

11. Inca Located in South America By 1400, the Inca empire included 12 million people Capital city: Cuzco “City of the Sun” (Sun god was very important)

12. Inca Came up with ways to farm on the mountainsides – built stone terraces so they had flat land to farm – Created irrigation systems to bring water to their crops Extra food was kept in storehouses and brought to villages when crops died Farmed: tomatoes, maize, lima beans, peppers, grain

14. Inca Created stone roads that are still used today Had no written language, Inca runners carried messages in a relay Built swinging bridges made of rope Built the city of Machu Picchu made out of stone. Used gold to make decorations and jewelry