Early Civilizations of Latin America

Rise of the Aztecs

Aztec & Incan Empires

The Aztec Civilization

» Location: Valley of Mexico near what we call today Mexico City!

» Arrived in the 1100’s » Wandered about looking for a home site

until 1325 » 1325- settled on a small island in the middle

of Lake Texcoco and built Tenochtitlan

Tenochtitlan

(Fact 1box)

» Created in the center of a lake!˃ built floating islands called “chinampas” by piling rich earth

from the bottom of the lake onto rafts ˃ made of wood roots of plants grew down to bottom,

anchoring the rafts

Expanding the Aztec Empire…

» (Fact #2 box)

» 1400’s Warriors began conquering other people ˃ made them pay taxes˃ noble Aztecs grew rich

» Had an emperor. Nobles and priests helped emperor—all were very wealthy

» Not everyone was rich—most people were farmers

Aztec Religion

» Cities were religious centers. Aztecs worshipped their gods in pyramid-shaped temples.

» Sacrifices were an important part of the religious ceremonies meant to honor the gods.

» Polytheistic (worshipped many gods): Sun, Death, Maize, Rulers, Rain, etc.

Aztec Temple

» Instead of tearing down old temples, Aztec would just keep adding levels to the existing one.

» This one was built over 6 times!

» Rooms for sacrificing are at the top.

Aztec human sacrifice was on a greater scale than anywhere or any time in human history.

Aztec Accomplishments» 1- Doctors developed thousands of medicines

from plants.» 2- Astronomers predicted movements of the

planets; designed an accurate calendar!» 3- Priests kept extensive records using

hieroglyphics. » Schools: Boys studied either religion or military

skills; Girls learned cloth spinning and cooking.

Rise of the Inca

Rise of the Inca» Location: Cuzco- village in the Andes.

Now modern day Peru.» 1200 AD, Incas settled in Cuzco» Most were farmers.» 1438 AD, Pachacuti became ruler of the

Incas and conquered more lands/people

Rise of the Inca

» Fact #1 box: ˃ Empire stretched 2,500 miles ˃ ruled 12 million people ˃ used runners to spread news—at a rate of 250 miles a

day!

» Fact #2 box:˃ Created terraces to create more farmland on

the mountains!

Inca Empire•Cuzco is the capital city

•The jaguar was an important symbol to the Incans.

•Cuzco (capital city) was built in the shape of a jaguar!

Incan Religion

» Polytheistic like the Aztecs. ˃ Main god was the sun god

» Sacrifice was a big part—usually a white llama was used.

» Believed in reincarnation

Incan Accomplishments˃Excellent farmers!

+ Used terracing+ Developed a large variety of foods+ discovered ways to store and preserve food

potato was a staple food (due to it being able to grow in the high altitudes of the Andes)

+ other foods: tomatoes, maize, lima beans, peppers, grains

Accomplishment #2» Builders:˃ built more than 19,000 miles of roads –most

over mountains!˃ Built canals and aqueducts to carry water to

dry areasAn aqueduct—pipe or channel designed to carry water to a distant source; irrigates dry land

More accomplishment 2

» Inca ruins are some of the most impressive architecture in the world.˃ They cut stone with such

precisions that each block fit exactly with its neighbor.

˃ Fit was so tightly, even a knife wouldn’t fit in the cracks

Accomplishment #3» Great Managers:˃ Counted people so they could tax them and make

money˃ Had a system of math and accounting---Incas were

the wealthiest of the natives in the New World!!!