Outcome: The Mayas. Environment S. Mexico Yucatan Peninsula Steamy jungles Cool mountains.
Mayans. Time Period 250 -1500 AD Location Modern day MEXICO Yucatan Peninsula.
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Transcript of Mayans. Time Period 250 -1500 AD Location Modern day MEXICO Yucatan Peninsula.
Mayans
Time Period
• 250 -1500 AD
Location
• Modern day MEXICO
• Yucatan Peninsula
Government
• Priests were sometimes rulers
• Aristocratic Nobility (Wealthy people ruled)
Economy
• Drained marshes to create more farmland
• Terrace farming (steps on hills)
• Traded honey, salt and cacao
• Cities were market places
• Obviously had a SURPLUS OF FOOD to support the population which led to……specialized JOBS
Language
• Hieroglyphs (symbols instead of letters)
• Carved on columns of temples & tombs
`Religion
• Priests were the MOST important people.
• Polytheistic
• 365-day calendar based on stars
• Pyramid temples
• Gods controlled nature and weather
Technology
• Advanced Math: use of number zero
• Master builders of cities
• Pyramids
• 2 calendars
• Weavers
• Terrace farming
Decline
• @ 900…Mayans began deserting their cities
• By 1500, Spaniards had conquered what was left
Aztecs
Time Period
• 1300-1520
Location
• Mexico
• Tenochtitlan “Place of the Prickly Pear”
• North and West of the Mayan Empire
Government
• Tenochtitlan…capital city
• 100,000 citizens
• Warriors
• Trade and Conquest
• Tribute (tax) was paid by conquered peoples
• Rigid class system that included slaves
Economy
• Well-stocked outdoor markets
• Chinampas…floating gardens (how humans interact w/environment)
• Corn, Squash, Beans, tomatoes, sweet potato
• Parks, zoos, schools, barbershops
• Traded far distances
Language
• Record-keeping in books filled with bark pages
Religion
• Polytheistic
• Sun God was most important
• Priests kept a history of the Aztecs
• Priests were teachers
• HUMAN SACRIFICES to the gods
Technology
• Causeways: raised highways over water
• Aqueducts
• Stone pyramids
• Jewelry
• Chinampas
Decline
• Conquered by Hernan Cortes, a Spanish conquistador in 1520.
Inca
Time Period
• 1200-1500
Location
• Andes Mts.
• Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina
• Largest Empire in MesoAmerica
Government
• Totalitarian: Ruler has TOTAL control
• Well-organized
• Powerful army of warriors
• Inca is the name given to the ruler
• Ruler controlled ALL goods and services
Economy
• Terrace Farming
• Food surplus allowed for specialized jobs
• Grew: corn, potatoes, cotton, squash, beans, cocao
• Llama and alpaca meat was eaten and used for labor
Language
• Newly conquered people had to learn the language
Religion
• Polytheistic
• Inti---Sun God was most highly revered and worshipped. Why?
Technology
• Irrigation• Canals• Extensive roads• Many bridges• Terrace farming• Stone steps on mountain sides• Stone houses with grass roofs• Drainage systems• Postal service
Decline
• Unrest throughout the empire after the 9th ruler (Inca) died…..left them weak and open for attack
• Conquered by Spain in early 1500’s
• Fransisco Pizarro conquers them.