Early Civilizations of the AmericasMayan Culture

Mayan Civilization

• AD 300-AD 900 • Built great cities-Copan, Tikal-they were

religious centers• Farming-maize=corn along with beans,

squash• Studied planets and stars-designed

calendar• developed number system and writing

system called hieroglyphics-left cities around 900 AD

Mayan Civilization• Advanced culture about 3000 years ago in

Southern Mexico and Guatemala• Most lived in mud walled homes with thatch

roofs-rich lived in stone palaces• Each city controlled surrounding area• Each city had a pyramid with a temple on top• Priests were at the top of Mayan society

followed by nobles, warriors, farmers and slaves

Mayan Achievements• Astronomy and Math

helped them create a accurate 365 day calendar-they also developed a number system that included the number zero

• They used hieroglyphics, pictures that represent words to record their findings

Aztec Civilization• Valley of Mexico-1100s-settled on island in

1325-named their city-Tenochtitlan (Mexico city today)

• 1400s- they conquered other people in the region-forced tribute and gained slaves

• Emperor ruled a society of several classes-Nobles/Priests, Warriors, Traders, Craftworkers, Farmers

• Discovered medicines for fevers, stomachaches, and wounds

The Aztecs• North of the Mayans

with their capital Tenochtitlan on an island

• They conquered their neighbors and enslaved them

• Religion was central to them-they had a 18 month calendar –the Sun god was most important-they were the warriors of the Sun-They sacrificed tens of thousands of prisoners each year

A powerful Empire• By the 1500s they ruled

millions of people-The Emperor had absolute power and was treated like a God.

• Heavy taxes and the need for human sacrifices fueled revolts-Aztec Armies crushed these-But the hatred of their culture by neighbors would catch up with them

Rise of the Incas

• 1200, Incas settled in Cuzco and farmed• 1438, Pachacuti ruled Incas and

conquered the people near the Pacific Ocean-He demanded loyalty from the people or replaced them

• His son, Topa Inca, expanded the empire from Peru to Argentina- 2500 miles and 12 million people

Ican Accomplishments

• Roads and Aqueducts-19,000 miles of roads allowing for armies to travel and messages

• Canals carried water to dry locations-One carried water 500 miles allowing for irrigation of crops

Government and Records

• Emperor chose nobles to govern provinces-they counted the people so the correct taxes were in place.

• The government took care of the poor, sick and elderly

• Records kept on a knotted string called a “quipus”-which stood for numbers and items

The Incas• The largest Empire in

the Americas-10 million• Farmed terraces along

the Andes • Each family had

records kept on how much food was produced-extra was stored in warehouses

• They were expert engineers-moving huge stones to build palaces

Holding the Empire together• Built a complex series

of roads-19,000 miles worth-runners then could send messages quickly, armies could respond were needed.

• They used Quinine to treat Malaria and performed successful brain surgery

• They worshiped the Sun-lined their buildings with gold to honor the Gods

Religion and Descendants

• Worshipped many Gods-The Sun God was Inti-believed to be their parent-”children of the sun”

• Descendants of the Incas still live in the area-they use farming methods that are the same as their ancestors. Their clothes are similar as well