Unit 15 Mesoamerica Visual Vocabulary

Olmec The 1st civilization known for sculpting huge stone heads.

Maya The 2nd civilization known for creating the 365 calendar and using the number zero.

Glyph A carved or engraved symbol that stands for a word.

empire A political system in which people or lands are controlled by one ruler

Aztec The 3rd civilization known for being fierce warriors. Were defeated by Spanish conquistadors.

Chinampas island gardens that grow food or flowers

Inca The 4th civilization known for terrace farming and building road used for trading.

conquistador Spanish word for “conqueror”

Moctezuma II Aztec emperor. Killed by conquistadors that took him prisoner.

Pacal The king during the Mayan Classic age at 12 years old. He built a temple to record his achievements

observatories Buildings from which people could study the sky

Causeway Raised roads across wet ground

Pachacuti Ruled the Inca civilization in the mid-1400’s. He worked to expand Inca territory.

Atahaulpa The last Incan Emperor. He tried to kick out the Spanish and conquistadors. He is captured and killed by Francisco Pizarro

Francisco Pizarro Spanish Conquistador that conquered the Incan Empire

Masonry Stonework in grand buildings and temples. This was a major achievement of the Incans.

Yucatan Peninsula An area of land in Central America where the Mayan civilization settled.

Terrace farming Stone walls used to shape hillsides into flat leveled land that looked like a staircase.

isthmus Strip of land that connects two landmasses

Andes Mountains A mountain range located on South America’s west coast and expand Inca territory.