1. Maya, Aztec, and Inca Civilizations
Pre-Columbian Society in North and South America

2. MesoAmerica Maya, then Aztecs = dominant civilizations
Built on the foundation of earlier civilizations eg: Olmec (the big head people)
Maize
Ball games
Temple pyramids/ritual human sacrifice
Astronomy/calendar

3. Aztecs – green Maya - brown

4. Maya Height – 600CE-900CE Culturally united (NOT POLITICALLY)
City-states
Polytheistic
Nobles/Priests = elite class
Innovative agriculture b/c of poor soil (chinampas, terraces, irrigation)
Glyph writing/zero
Downfall? Overtaxed environment, internal warfare

5. Maya – Tikal

9. Theatre State tallest building in the Americas until the Flatiron Bldg
Theatre State tallest building in the Americas until the Flatiron Bldg. in1903

10. Writing Styles

13. Aztecs Height – 1300CE-1500CE Invading conquerors from N. Mexico
Tenochtitlan – capital w/Emperor
Important families controlled outlying areas
Conquered people had to give tribute
Complex social hierarchy (nobles, priests, etc.)
Human sacrifice, often – used to control populace which had been conquered by this migratory group

16. Spanish primary source of Aztec human sacrifice

17. Inca 1400s-1500s South America (Andes Mts.) Military expansionists
Governed territory of over 2,500 miles
Use of our friend, the Llama
Farmed potatoes on terraces
God-kings = intermediaries b/t heaven and earth

18. Social Hierarchy
Aristocrats lived privileged lives (fine foods, embroidered clothes, and large ears spools)
Spanish called them “big ears”
Inca ear spools

19. Cuzco Capital city Connected to outlying areas by 16,000 m. of roads
Royal family ruled outlying areas
Tribute state - $$ to Cuzco, emperor ensured everyone has what they need
Gov’t control – trade, labor, detailed census, centralized econ, etc.

20. Taxes often paid in labor (mit’a)
Labor groups
ayllu = extended family organized groups
NO writing – used kipus!