Ancient Civilizations of the Western HemisphereMaya, Aztec, & Inca
Maya - Locationsouthern Mexico into northern Central American called the Yucatan Peninsula
Maya - Climatedense, steamy rain forests
Maya – Time Period250-900 a.d.
Maya – Governmentindependent city-states ruled by kings – seen as god-king, established dynasties
Maya – Key CityChichen Itza
Maya – Economy1. Agriculture – maize, beans, squash
2. Trade – salt, flint, feathers, shells, honey, jade ornaments, textiles
Maya – Religion1. Polytheistic – many gods2. Pyramids – dedicated to gods and famous rulers
3. Worship included material offerings, bloodletting, human sacrifice
4. Calendar – 260 days, 20 months, 13 days each month
- 365 day solar calendar, different gods ruled different days
5. Mathematics and astronomy – concept of zero, calendar planning
Maya – Writing800 glyphs (symbols), on bark-paper called codex
Maya – Declinewar and conflict between city states, overuse of land
Aztec - LocationCentral Mexico – Valley of Mexico, Modern day Mexico City
Aztec - ClimateHot, large shallow lakes, good resources, fertile soil
Aztec – Time Period1200 – 1521 A.D.
Aztec – GovernmentTriple Alliance with Texcoco and Tlacopan, 38 provinces, Emperor with absolute power
- loose control over empire with exception of tribute payments
Aztec – Key CityTenochtitlan = capital
Aztec – Economy1. Agriculture – maize, cacao beans, cotton
2. Trading Network – with Tenochtitlan as ultimate marketplace
Aztec – Religion1. Polytheistic2. Built temples and pyramids
3. 2 calendars 4. Human sacrifices to sun god
Aztec – WritingNo real mention – writing system of pictures derived from earlier MesoAmerican cultures
Aztec – DeclineMontezuma II reign – rebelling tribes
Spanish – Cortez conquered Aztecs in 1521
Inca – LocationAndes Mountains of South America – Southern Peru
Inca – ClimateMountainous
Inca – Time Period1400- 1532 A.D.
Inca – GovernmentBelieved 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
Inca – Key CityCuzco = capitalMachu Picchu – mysterious religious center or royal resort
Inca – Economy1. Run by the state – regulated production of goods
2. Agriculture on terraced hillsides – maize and quinoa (grain)
Inca – Religion1. Polytheistic – natural spirits of moons, stars, sun, thunder, etc.
2. 2 Calendars3. Sacrifices
Inca – WritingNone, but had string/knot math/accounting system
Inca – DeclineCivil War between two sons of a king and Pizarro