PreColumbian America the Maya Aztec Inca Learning Goal
Pre-Columbian America: the Maya, Aztec & Inca Learning Goal 2: Compare the major political, economic, social and technological developments of the Mayan, Incan and Aztec civilizations. (6 A)
Maya, Aztec, and Inca • Central & Southern American civilizations • Time period ranges from 200 BC to 1521 CE • Overlaps with the Roman Empire, Medieval Europe, Byzantine Empire, Islamic Empire, Tang & Song Dynasties, the Mongols – and more! • Classical & Post-Classical Era • Well-known for their monumental structures, human sacrifice, and farming techniques
Aztecs • Ruled by kings • *Trade routes, cacao beans as currency • Frequently traded with the Maya • *Polytheistic • *Human sacrifice & bloodletting • Centered around the city of Tenochtitlan (modern day Mexico City) built on an island in Lake Texcoco • *Monumental structures • Chinampa method of agriculture • video clip
Tenochtitlan
Chinampa method of farming (Aztec)
Maya • Central America • *City states (often at war) • *Polytheistic • *Human sacrifice & bloodletting • Believed gods required nutrients from humans • Cities as trade centers and to worship gods • Filled with monumental structures • *Developed accurate calendar(s) • *Monumental structures • Maize = main crop • Slash-and-burn agriculture • Video clip link
Slash and burn agriculture (Maya)
South America Inca *Polytheistic Divided into social classes *Mita: labor tax paid by the commoners Government controlled economy *Terrace farming so they could grow crops despite the mountains • Advanced engineers • • Machu Picchu, suspension bridges • *Built elaborate road system through mountains • *Developed quipu for keeping records • No written language!
Inca roads & suspension bridges
Terrace farming
Quipu (for record • Could have as many as keeping) 1500 strings! • How meaning was determined: • • Color shades Position on string Distance from center Type of knot • Used for recording numerical data • Video Clip
Video Clip Inca: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=p. QPSYenhto. Y
Vocabulary Practice • Step 1: Finish your vocabulary chart if not yet complete • Step 2: Complete the quizlet vocabulary study set matching game at https: //quizlet. com/244056220/match • Or search “mrsmitrowski” and it is Unit 5 vocab • (or http: //tinyurl. com/ybqhe 4 gf )
Exit Ticket • Which civilization would you prefer to have lived in: the Maya, Aztec, or Inca? In a well-written sentence or short paragraph, answer the prompt with at least three reasons to support your choice. • What are things that would impact your decision?
Old video links • Engineers: Machu Picchu • http: //www. history. com/topics/inca/videos/machupicchu? m=528 e 394 da 93 ae&s=undefined&f=1&free=false • The Rise of the Incas • http: //www. history. com/topics/inca/videos • What happened to the Aztecs? • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=i 3 k. WJfkq. T 0 g
- Slides: 16