Maya, Aztec, and Inca Civilizations
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Transcript of Maya, Aztec, and Inca Civilizations
Maya, Aztec, and Inca Civilizations
Pre-Columbian Society in North and South America
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
Aztecs – greenMaya - brown
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
Maya – Tikal
What’s he up to?
Theatre Statetallest building in the Americas until
the Flatiron Bldg. in1903
Writing Styles
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
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
Social Hierarchy• Aristocrats lived privileged lives (fine
foods, embroidered clothes, and large ears spools)– Spanish called them “big ears”
Inca ear spools
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.
• Taxes often paid in labor (mit’a)
• Labor groups
• ayllu = extended family organized groups
• NO writing – used kipus!