Ancient Civilizations of the Western HemisphereMaya, Aztec, & Inca

Maya - Locationsouthern Mexico into northern Central American called the Yucatan Peninsula

Maya - Climatedense, steamy rain forests

Maya – Time Period250-900 a.d.

Maya – Governmentindependent city-states ruled by kings – seen as god-king, established dynasties

Maya – Key CityChichen Itza

Maya – Economy1. Agriculture – maize, beans, squash

2. Trade – salt, flint, feathers, shells, honey, jade ornaments, textiles

Maya – Religion1. Polytheistic – many gods2. Pyramids – dedicated to gods and famous rulers

3. Worship included material offerings, bloodletting, human sacrifice

4. Calendar – 260 days, 20 months, 13 days each month

- 365 day solar calendar, different gods ruled different days

5. Mathematics and astronomy – concept of zero, calendar planning

Maya – Writing800 glyphs (symbols), on bark-paper called codex

Maya – Declinewar and conflict between city states, overuse of land

Aztec - LocationCentral Mexico – Valley of Mexico, Modern day Mexico City

Aztec - ClimateHot, large shallow lakes, good resources, fertile soil

Aztec – Time Period1200 – 1521 A.D.

Aztec – GovernmentTriple Alliance with Texcoco and Tlacopan, 38 provinces, Emperor with absolute power

- loose control over empire with exception of tribute payments

Aztec – Key CityTenochtitlan = capital

Aztec – Economy1. Agriculture – maize, cacao beans, cotton

2. Trading Network – with Tenochtitlan as ultimate marketplace

Aztec – Religion1. Polytheistic2. Built temples and pyramids

3. 2 calendars 4. Human sacrifices to sun god

Aztec – WritingNo real mention – writing system of pictures derived from earlier MesoAmerican cultures

Aztec – DeclineMontezuma II reign – rebelling tribes

Spanish – Cortez conquered Aztecs in 1521

Inca – LocationAndes Mountains of South America – Southern Peru

Inca – ClimateMountainous

Inca – Time Period1400- 1532 A.D.

Inca – GovernmentBelieved that ruler was a descendent from the Sun god

Nobility – ruling families Bureaucracy – used small groups to work for the common good

Built extensive road system

Inca – Key CityCuzco = capitalMachu Picchu – mysterious religious center or royal resort

Inca – Economy1. Run by the state – regulated production of goods

2. Agriculture on terraced hillsides – maize and quinoa (grain)

Inca – Religion1. Polytheistic – natural spirits of moons, stars, sun, thunder, etc.

2. 2 Calendars3. Sacrifices

Inca – WritingNone, but had string/knot math/accounting system

Inca – DeclineCivil War between two sons of a king and Pizarro