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)

                                                         

Location- Central America (present day Guatemala, Belize, and southeastern Mexico)

Environment- – Highlands- cool, mountainous– Lowlands- dry forest and jungles

Leaders and Major Cities Tikal, Chichen Itza- (city states ruled

by God-Kings, centers for religion and trade)

Pyramids, temples, stone carvings

http://search.msn.com/images/results.aspx?q=Chichen+Itza+pictures&FORM=MSNH&mkt=en-US

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.

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.

http://search.msn.com/images/results.aspx?q=Mayan+ball+game-&form=QBIR

Achievements Developed 2 calendars (religious one

and daily one) Astronomy Math- zero writing used to record history on bark-

paper books (codex).

The Aztec Location- Mexico

Environment- Valley of Mexico, large lakes, fertile soil.

Leaders and major Cities

Tenochtitlan- capital, wide streets, canals, palaces, pyramids, busy markets, temples, aqueducts.

Montezuma- under him theempire weakened, demands more tributes and sacrifices, provinces rebel. Downfall tothe Spanish (Cortez)

                                 

Traits of the Civilization CALLED THEMSELVES Mexica. Military conquerors, demanded

tributes. Powerful army. Highly structured society. Religion very important- must please

Gods. Massive sacrifices.

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.

Interesting fact

As many as 20,000 people were

sacrificed in one day at the great temple in

TENOCHTITLAN.

Achievements 2 calendars like Mayans- determined

religious actions (tributes, worship).

Used fertilizers and irrigation systems.

Chinampas- “floating islands” to grow maize and beans.

                                                                           

Chinampas

LOCATION- Peru

Environment- Andes Mountains

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?

Traits of a civilization Powerful military, force only when

necessary. Good diplomats- gain loyalty from

enemies. Gov’t creates unity with language and

architecture.

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.

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.

Achievements Extensive road system,

bridges Fine stone masons (no

iron tools or wheel). Quipa- accounting tool

What happened to the M,A,I?

Mayans- by 800’s abandoned their cities.

Aztecs- 1521 conquered by Cortez (Spanish conquistador), guns and disease.

Incas- 1532 Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro captured Emperor Atahualpa and stole over 24 tons of gold.

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.