The document summarizes four ancient American civilizations - the Olmecs, Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas. It describes the key features of early civilizations, then provides details about the location, culture, social structure, religion, politics, achievements, and decline of each civilization. The Olmecs were the earliest in Mexico, while the Mayans and Aztecs were in Central America and the Incas' empire spanned much of western South America. All had advanced societies with complex social hierarchies, religion, and government.

1. Ancient American CivilizationsAncient American Civilizations
AA civilizationcivilization can be defined as “ancan be defined as “an
advanced culture.” Basic features of earlyadvanced culture.” Basic features of early
civilizations included the building of cities, acivilizations included the building of cities, a
well-organized government, a system ofwell-organized government, a system of
social classes, specialized jobs, a complexsocial classes, specialized jobs, a complex
religion, and a method of record-keeping.religion, and a method of record-keeping.

2. I. The OlmecsI. The Olmecs
►Earliest known American civilizationEarliest known American civilization
►Located along the Gulf of Mexico aboutLocated along the Gulf of Mexico about
3500 years ago3500 years ago
►Most impressive artifacts- giant carvedMost impressive artifacts- giant carved
stone heads found near religious centersstone heads found near religious centers
►Civilization disappeared around 300 BCCivilization disappeared around 300 BC

3. II. Mayan Civilization (II. Mayan Civilization (1800 BC- 900 AD)1800 BC- 900 AD)
Location andLocation and
GeographyGeography
-Yucatan peninsulaYucatan peninsula
-present-day Mexico and Guatemala (Centralpresent-day Mexico and Guatemala (Central
America)America)
-Rain forestRain forest
CultureCulture Social Class System:Social Class System: Priests (top)-> nobles,Priests (top)-> nobles,
government officials, & warriors-> peasantgovernment officials, & warriors-> peasant
farmers-> slavesfarmers-> slaves
Major cities:Major cities: Tikal and CopanTikal and Copan
Religion:Religion: polytheistic, worshipped nature gods,polytheistic, worshipped nature gods,
practiced divination and human sacrifice rituals,practiced divination and human sacrifice rituals,
built elaborate temples, priests were at the topbuilt elaborate temples, priests were at the top
of Mayan societyof Mayan society
PoliticalPolitical
FeaturesFeatures
-Each Mayan city had its own ruler-Each Mayan city had its own ruler
-Kings passed down their position to their sonsKings passed down their position to their sons

4. Mayan Civilization Continued…Mayan Civilization Continued…
NotableNotable
AchievementsAchievements
-Created an accurate 365 day calendarCreated an accurate 365 day calendar
-Invented a system of hieroglyphicsInvented a system of hieroglyphics
-Developed an advanced number systemDeveloped an advanced number system
-Built huge stone pyramidsBuilt huge stone pyramids
-Cleared the jungle and drained swamps inCleared the jungle and drained swamps in
order to farmorder to farm
DeclineDecline -Cities were abandoned around 850 AD forCities were abandoned around 850 AD for
reasons that are unknownreasons that are unknown
-Today, nearly 2 million people in SouthernToday, nearly 2 million people in Southern
Mexico and Guatemala speak MayanMexico and Guatemala speak Mayan
languageslanguages

5. III. Aztec CivilizationIII. Aztec Civilization (1100- 1522 AD)(1100- 1522 AD)
Location andLocation and
GeographyGeography
-Central MexicoCentral Mexico
-Capital located in swampy, Lake TexcocoCapital located in swampy, Lake Texcoco
CultureCulture Social Class System:Social Class System: Emperor-> priests &Emperor-> priests &
nobles-> warriors-> merchants & artisans->nobles-> warriors-> merchants & artisans->
farmers-> slavesfarmers-> slaves
Major City:Major City: Tenochtitlan (capital city)Tenochtitlan (capital city)
Religion:Religion: polytheistic, priests performed ritualspolytheistic, priests performed rituals
and ran schools, each month in the 18 monthand ran schools, each month in the 18 month
Aztec calendar was governed by its own god,Aztec calendar was governed by its own god,
sacrificed thousands of prisoners of war to thesacrificed thousands of prisoners of war to the
Sun God each yearSun God each yearPoliticalPolitical
FeaturesFeatures
-Emperor had absolute powerEmperor had absolute power
-Did not exert supreme control over conqueredDid not exert supreme control over conquered
lands but expected tributes to be paidlands but expected tributes to be paid

6. Aztec Civilization Continued…Aztec Civilization Continued…
NotableNotable
AchievementAchievement
ss
-Built causeways (raised roads) to connect theBuilt causeways (raised roads) to connect the
Capital with the mainlandCapital with the mainland
-Created chinampas (floating gardens) in orderCreated chinampas (floating gardens) in order
to grow crops on the swamplandto grow crops on the swampland
-Constructed drawbridges that could be raisedConstructed drawbridges that could be raised
in case of an attackin case of an attack
DeclineDecline -In 1519, Montezuma (the Aztec emperor)In 1519, Montezuma (the Aztec emperor)
welcomed Spanish conquistadors intowelcomed Spanish conquistadors into
Tenochtitlan because he believed they wereTenochtitlan because he believed they were
godsgods
-The conquistadors, led by Hernando Cortes,The conquistadors, led by Hernando Cortes,
were able to conquer the Aztecs by 1521 andwere able to conquer the Aztecs by 1521 and
claim the territory for Spainclaim the territory for Spain

7. IV. Incan CivilizationIV. Incan Civilization (early 13(early 13thth
century- 1533)century- 1533)
LocationLocation - Stretched almost 3000 miles along the western- Stretched almost 3000 miles along the western
(Pacific) coast of South America(Pacific) coast of South America
-Located in the Andes MountainsLocated in the Andes Mountains
-Largest empire in the AmericasLargest empire in the Americas
SocialSocial
FeaturesFeatures
Social Class System:Social Class System: Sapa Inca->Sapa Inca-> RoyalRoyal
Nobility-> Privileged Nobility-> farmers-> slavesNobility-> Privileged Nobility-> farmers-> slaves
Major City:Major City: CuzcoCuzco
Religion:Religion: polytheisticpolytheistic;; lined the walls oflined the walls of
temples and palaces with sheets of gold totemples and palaces with sheets of gold to
honor the sunhonor the sun
PoliticalPolitical
FeaturesFeatures
-The emperor, known as the Sapa Inca, wasThe emperor, known as the Sapa Inca, was
believed to be a descendent of the sun god andbelieved to be a descendent of the sun god and
controlled all the land and riches in the empirecontrolled all the land and riches in the empire
-Ruled more than 10 million peopleRuled more than 10 million people

8. Incan Civilization Continued…Incan Civilization Continued…
NotableNotable
AchievementsAchievements
-- Carved terraces into the mountainside toCarved terraces into the mountainside to
farm onfarm on
-Built stone aqueducts which carried waterBuilt stone aqueducts which carried water
to the terraces from distant riversto the terraces from distant rivers
-Had highly advanced building techniquesHad highly advanced building techniques
-Built a complex network of roadsBuilt a complex network of roads
-Used quinine to treat malaria, performedUsed quinine to treat malaria, performed
brain surgery, and discovered medicines tobrain surgery, and discovered medicines to
lesson painlesson pain
DeclineDecline -Spanish conquistadors, led by FranciscoSpanish conquistadors, led by Francisco
Pizarro, captured the Incan emperorPizarro, captured the Incan emperor
Atahualpa and much of his army in 1532Atahualpa and much of his army in 1532
-Spanish controlled much of the IncanSpanish controlled much of the Incan
empire by 1535empire by 1535

9. Quiz QuestionsQuiz Questions
► What were two notable achievements of theWhat were two notable achievements of the
Aztecs, Mayas, and Incas?Aztecs, Mayas, and Incas?
► Explain why the Aztecs should be considered aExplain why the Aztecs should be considered a
civilization (review the definition of civilization.)civilization (review the definition of civilization.)
► Compare the Incan and Mayan civilizations. HowCompare the Incan and Mayan civilizations. How
are they similar? How are they different?are they similar? How are they different?
► How did the Incas adapt to their environment toHow did the Incas adapt to their environment to
meet their needs?meet their needs?
► Where did the Mayan, Aztec, and IncanWhere did the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan
civilizations flourish?civilizations flourish?

10. Quiz QuestionsQuiz Questions
► What were two notable achievements of theWhat were two notable achievements of the
Aztecs, Mayas, and Incas?Aztecs, Mayas, and Incas?
► Explain why the Aztecs should be considered aExplain why the Aztecs should be considered a
civilization (review the definition of civilization.)civilization (review the definition of civilization.)
► Compare the Incan and Mayan civilizations. HowCompare the Incan and Mayan civilizations. How
are they similar? How are they different?are they similar? How are they different?
► How did the Incas adapt to their environment toHow did the Incas adapt to their environment to
meet their needs?meet their needs?
► Where did the Mayan, Aztec, and IncanWhere did the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan
civilizations flourish?civilizations flourish?