Early Civilizations of the AmericasMayan Culture
Mayan Civilization
• AD 300-AD 900 • Built great cities-Copan, Tikal-they were
religious centers• Farming-maize=corn along with beans,
squash• Studied planets and stars-designed
calendar• developed number system and writing
system called hieroglyphics-left cities around 900 AD
Mayan Civilization• Advanced culture about 3000 years ago in
Southern Mexico and Guatemala• Most lived in mud walled homes with thatch
roofs-rich lived in stone palaces• Each city controlled surrounding area• Each city had a pyramid with a temple on top• Priests were at the top of Mayan society
followed by nobles, warriors, farmers and slaves
Mayan Achievements• Astronomy and Math
helped them create a accurate 365 day calendar-they also developed a number system that included the number zero
• They used hieroglyphics, pictures that represent words to record their findings
Aztec Civilization• Valley of Mexico-1100s-settled on island in
1325-named their city-Tenochtitlan (Mexico city today)
• 1400s- they conquered other people in the region-forced tribute and gained slaves
• Emperor ruled a society of several classes-Nobles/Priests, Warriors, Traders, Craftworkers, Farmers
• Discovered medicines for fevers, stomachaches, and wounds
The Aztecs• North of the Mayans
with their capital Tenochtitlan on an island
• They conquered their neighbors and enslaved them
• Religion was central to them-they had a 18 month calendar –the Sun god was most important-they were the warriors of the Sun-They sacrificed tens of thousands of prisoners each year
A powerful Empire• By the 1500s they ruled
millions of people-The Emperor had absolute power and was treated like a God.
• Heavy taxes and the need for human sacrifices fueled revolts-Aztec Armies crushed these-But the hatred of their culture by neighbors would catch up with them
Rise of the Incas
• 1200, Incas settled in Cuzco and farmed• 1438, Pachacuti ruled Incas and
conquered the people near the Pacific Ocean-He demanded loyalty from the people or replaced them
• His son, Topa Inca, expanded the empire from Peru to Argentina- 2500 miles and 12 million people
Ican Accomplishments
• Roads and Aqueducts-19,000 miles of roads allowing for armies to travel and messages
• Canals carried water to dry locations-One carried water 500 miles allowing for irrigation of crops
Government and Records
• Emperor chose nobles to govern provinces-they counted the people so the correct taxes were in place.
• The government took care of the poor, sick and elderly
• Records kept on a knotted string called a “quipus”-which stood for numbers and items
The Incas• The largest Empire in
the Americas-10 million• Farmed terraces along
the Andes • Each family had
records kept on how much food was produced-extra was stored in warehouses
• They were expert engineers-moving huge stones to build palaces
Holding the Empire together• Built a complex series
of roads-19,000 miles worth-runners then could send messages quickly, armies could respond were needed.
• They used Quinine to treat Malaria and performed successful brain surgery
• They worshiped the Sun-lined their buildings with gold to honor the Gods
Religion and Descendants
• Worshipped many Gods-The Sun God was Inti-believed to be their parent-”children of the sun”
• Descendants of the Incas still live in the area-they use farming methods that are the same as their ancestors. Their clothes are similar as well