Web Quest Tenochtitlan Daily Life in an Aztec

1. Introduction Historians estimate up to one quarter of a million people lived and worked in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. I’ve often walked in darkness, accompanying Ichtaca through the empty city streets after sundown. A temple priest has many evening tasks to attend – choosing naming days, healing the sick and helping prepare the dead for their journey. (Jaguar Warrior ch 11 p 94) He wipes his palm across his shorn head, smearing the fine droplets of sweat. A warrior must capture four enemy soldiers before his head is shaved. In his first battle, Huemac brought twenty captives to the Serpent-Sun temple steps. It has been a long time since he had hair. (Jaguar Warrior ch 8 p 73) Your task is to help complete the jobs that keep the city of Tenochtitlan functioning.

2. Task Your team must find out about one of the important jobs held by citizens in Tenochtitlan – what did the job involve, what training was necessary, what tools were needed? Each team member will assume one of the following roles: • • Farmer Warrior Builder Priest Teacher Doctor Merchant King

3. Process 1. Choose one of the following roles • • Farmer Warrior Builder Priest Teacher Doctor Merchant King 2. Click on your role (listed above) to see which websites you will be visiting to research your new job 3. Compile a one page report about your job. List 3 important things you do. 4. Teams will split and form into new groups based on their occupations. 5. Each group member will present their the report to the class. After all reports have been hear the class must vote for Tenochtitlan’s most important citizen. Maybe it will be the King. Or maybe the Teacher. A valid vote must include the student’s name and the reason for their choice. Click here to download a vote form

The Artisan Sample presentation There were thousands of artisans (craftsmen) in Tenochtitlan. They used wood, clay, stone, feathers, precious stones and gold to create a wide range of goods— from common household items to religious artefacts and expensive luxury objects. Some of these goods were traded with other cities and some were used in religious ceremonies. Artisans specialised in one particular craft and groups of artisans formed their own professional guilds and lived in their own neighbourhoods (and so on for required length) Artisans were important because they • made useful every day items such as food bowls • created beautiful artwork such as featherwork pictures • made goods which could be traded for other goods from nearby cities

The Farmer The farmer will visit: Aztec Farming Think. Quest: Farming and Agriculture Farming in the Aztec World The Aztec World: The Science of Aztec Farming The Aztec World: Farming

The Warrior The warrior will visit The Aztec World: Warriors The Aztec World: A Warrior’s Life Aztec Warriors Ancient Aztec Weapons Wikipedia: Aztec Warfare Aztec Warriors Think. Quest: Military Life

The Builder The builder will visit: The Aztec World: The Science of Construction The Aztec World: The Science of Engineering Aztec Houses Aztec Pyramids Aztec Temples

The Priest will visit: The Aztec World: High Priests and Religion Think. Quest: Religious Beliefs Aztec Religion Wikipedia: Aztec Religion Aztec gods

The Teacher will visit: Think. Quest: Schooling Wikipedia: Aztec Education Aztec Writing Aztec Education

The Doctor will visit: Think. Quest: Medicine Aztec Health Aztec Medicine (2) Aztec Medicinal Practices The Medical Knowledge of the Aztecs

The Merchant will visit: The Aztec World: Artisans and Merchants The Aztec World: Aztec Economics The Aztec World: Aztec Goods Think. Quest: Merchant Life Aztec Economy

The King will visit: The Aztec World: Rulers The Aztec World: Ruler’s Role The Aztec World: Ruler as Chief Engineer Aztec Kingship Aztec Kings Thinkquest: Aztec Rulers and their Achievements

4. Evaluation Simple evaluation. Max Points Research Thoroughly researched topic 10 Effectively used technology 10 Collaboration Worked well as a team member 10 Presentation Neat and edited 10 Accurate 10 Submitted complete and on time 10 Produced three points (rpt) 10 Demonstrated solid knowledge (rpt) 20 Provided considered reason for vote 10 100 Self Assess Teacher Assess

5. Conclusion Congratulations You are not only making a valuable contribution to the city of Tenochtitlan, but have also learned some interesting information about Aztec life.