Download Criterion 1: Note taking - Category 3: Multimodal presentation (Aztecs)

Ancient History 2004
Indicative response — Standard B
Category 3: Multimodal presentation (Aztecs)
Criterion 1: Note taking
These extracts from a record of research show a portion of note taking and annotations, and
demonstrate qualities that match Standard B for aspects of Criterion 1: Planning and using a
historical research process.
At B standard a student:
• demonstrates initiative by locating and organising primary and secondary sources that are
relevant and offer different perspectives
• creates and maintains systematic, coherent records of research that demonstrate effective
applications of the aspects of inquiry.
The scaffolding and format selected to maintain records of research is a school decision.
Examples of engagement with the aspects of inquiry have been noted in the textboxes.
Comments
This is a selection
from the notes taken
for sub-question 3.
Starting with a basic
scaffold provided by
the teacher, this
response
demonstrates that
the student has
created and
maintained records of
research that are
systematic and
coherent.
In this section of the
records of research:
•
•
•
notes are
organised by
source and subquestion
direct quotes are
identified
annotations
correspond to the
sources and
notes.
Source: Conrad, G. and Demarest, A. 1984 Religion and Empire: The dynamics of
Aztec and Inca expansionism, Cambridge University Press
Focus question: Why would religion have a substantial influence?
Notes
Annotations
•
Authors evaluate the validity of the
sources they have used
•
•
Human sacrifices essential to cults
of most deities and major calendar
cycles
Depending on context of offering,
victim could be killed in many ways
p. 29 “the natives of this land had
very large temples … with a house
of worship at the top, and close to
the entrance a low stone, about
knee high, where the men or
women who were to be sacrificed to
their gods were thrown on their
backs and of their own accord
remained perfectly still. A priest
then came with a stone knife like a
lance head ... (description of
sacrifice) and this was the way they
made sacrifices to their gods.”
Compares and contrasts sources of
evidence to develop a point of view —
therefore it is very reliable text
Aspect 2: Sources
Quote written by a Spanish monk (during
time of Cortes’ invasion) about the
sacrificial rituals performed by the Aztecs
Considering he was a monk, he would
have hated the sacrifices so the passage
might be biased and there is a possibility
of translation errors that could also affect
validity. But it is a source from the time
and quite detailed and seems to be a
careful observation, without emotion
And the other sources confirm this was a
regular part of Aztec life, so must be
important influence and priests must have
had a lot of power
Aspect 4: Effects,
interests and arguments
The response
demonstrates
initiative by locating
and organising
information from
primary and
secondary sources
that are relevant and
offer different
perspectives.
For sub-question 3:
•
•
•
•
location of
primary
(photographs of
archaeological
evidence,
translation of
inscription,
translation of
monk’s account)
and secondary
sources
(historians
specialising in the
field)
different
perspectives
(Aztec, Spanish
monk and modern
Western)
selective
recording of key
points from the
sources
sufficient
information
located to answer
the sub-question.
Source: Brumfiel, E and Feinmann, G (Eds) 2008 The Aztec World, HNA Inc, NY
Focus question: Why would religion have a substantial influence?
Notes
Annotations
• Universe belongs to gods —
distinguished from space time
created by gods for the creatures, i.e.
the world
• The world, later occupied by
humans, animals, etc. also for gods
supernatural forces
• Gods controlled the world’s
occurrences
• Human beings feed and offer
sacrifices
• Humans perceived privileged being
because of close relationship
• Humans felt they were beneficiaries
of divine favours
Editors experts in this topic
Extensive understanding of Aztec culture
providing a very detailed, in- depth
account of human sacrifice. It also
includes photos I can use
Lots of images of archaeological
excavations and artwork reconstructions
This explains the power of the beliefs and
why they felt they had to do the sacrifices
Source: 1992 Aztecs: Reign of blood and splendour, Time Life Books, Virginia
Focus question: Why would religion have a substantial influence?
Notes
Annotations
• In creating the world, gods gave
Secondary source, reputable editor,
provides primary sources as well and
photos of archaeological sites and photos
back up what the text says
hearts and blood
• Must make sacrifice to keep universe
in perfect balance
Aspect 2: Sources
• Most deities required regular
sacrifice, most important god was
Huitzilopochtli (H)
• Without frequent sacrifice, god
wouldn’t be strong enough to fight —
would fail to rise as sun next morning
No bias was evident in this source
Corroborates other sources that they
believed they had to keep up the
sacrifices, so their religious beliefs had a
lot of power
• H supposedly said, “I will make you
lords and kings of every place in the
world.”
Aspect 4: Effects,
interests and arguments
From an inscription — try and find more
details about where exactly the original
quote came
Source: Smith, M. 2006 ‘Aztec culture: an overview’ (online) available at
www.public.asu.edu/~mesmith9/1-CompleteSet/Smith-AztecCulture-WWW.pdf
Focus question: Why would religion have a substantial influence?
Although more
evident across the
whole record of
research, this section
of note taking shows
examples of effective
application of the
aspects of inquiry
(see highlighted text
boxes).
Notes
Annotations
• Priests supervised public, private
He is at Arizona State University and
expert in field
rituals to honour gods
• Gods offered own blood, some gods
sacrificed themselves to create earth
(said myths)
• Ppl. “owed a huge debt to gods” p. 5
• Offerings (food, incense, goods) and
sacrifices — repayment
• Priests often pierced parts of their
body to offer blood
Aspect 3: Motives
and causes
2 |
•
•
•
•
Extensive human sacrifice practised
Major part of important ceremonies
Aspect 5: Reflections
and responses
Relevant info for answering the focus
question — reinforces the idea that
religion played an important role in the
Aztecs’ power structure. It is corroborating
the other sources that people felt they had
debt to repay through their offerings
But he does say that maybe the Spanish
exaggerated how much
Sacrificed on top of town’s pyramid
Excavations have found alters, etc. in
houses used for ceremonies
Ancient History 2004 Indicative response — Standard B
Main buildings in towns associated with
religion and in homes too