Download Latin American Civilizations

Latin American
Ancient Civilizations
Mayans, Aztecs, Incas
Maya
1000-1517 AD
Maya
Location:
Yucatan
Peninsula;
southern Mexico
and Guatemala
Cities: Tikal,
Guatemala &
Palenque, Mexico
Mayan Religion
 Focused on the study
of time and the stars
 Worshipped many
gods (polytheism)
who controlled the
powerful forces of
nature; the corn god
 Pyramids were
temples to honor gods
Mayan Government
Each city-state
had its own king
Nobles & priests
helped govern
the city
Mayan Social Classes
 King – military and
religious leader
 Nobles & Priests
 Artisans & Merchants
 Peasants & Laborers
 Slaves ( POWs or
criminals)
Mayan Achievements
Writing books; paper
Magnificent buildings
Hieroglyphics/Writing System
Astronomy – studied the sky to tell the
passage of time
365 ¼ day calendar
Mathematics –used zero which allowed
the expression of any size
Mayan Achievements
What achievements do we still use today?
Mayan Economy
Farming (corn and
other crops)
Used slash –andburn agriculture
(land for crops is
cleared by cutting
and burning trees
to fertilize the soil)
Aztec
Aztec
1325-1521 AD
Location: Central Mexico
City: Tenochtitlan –
island on Lake Texcoco;
capital
Aztec Religion
Worshipped
many gods
Great Temple–
200ft. Step
pyramid topped
with shrines
Aztec Government
Military dictatorship
One ruler chosen
by a small group of
priests, nobles,
and warriors
Aztec Social Classes
One ruler
Priests &
Nobles
Artisans &
Merchants
Peasants &
Laborers
Slaves
Aztec Achievements
What achievements do we still use today?
 Educated both boys and girls
 Causeways – paved bridges
 Aqueducts – pipes/canals to carry water
from distant sources
 Built “floating gardens” rich soil piled on
wooden rafts
Aztec Achievements
The Chapultepec Aqueduct
Aztec Achievements
Chinampas:
floating gardens
Aztec Economy
Farming (corn, squash,
beans)
Collected tribute in the form
of agricultural products or
precious goods from their
vast conquered empire
Artisans – skilled workers;
created jewelry, pottery,
sculptures…
Inca
1438-1532 AD
Inca
 Location: Andes
Mountains (Colombia
to the Central Valley
of Chile)
 Cities: Cuzco, Peru
– capital; Machu
Picchu – built
between two peaks
in the Andes
Mountains
Incan Religion
Worshipped
many gods
Temple of the
Sun in Cuzco
was the center of
worship
Sun god was the
most important
Incan Government
Emperor who
ruled with the aid
of nobles and
priests
Told people
where to live and
what jobs to do
Incan Social Classes
Emperor
Priests &
Nobles
Artisans &
Merchants
Peasants &
Laborers
Slaves
Incan Achievements
What achievements do we still use today?
Quipu – knotted string used to record
information
Complex irrigation system
Terrace farming
Use of fertilizer; guano – bird droppings
Build a large system of highways and
bridges
Incan Achievements
Incan Economy
Farming (potatoes,
corn, peppers,
tomatoes, beans…)
Alpacas – raised for
their silky fleece
All people were
expected to pay tax
to the empire
The End