The document provides information about three early American civilizations: The Maya civilization flourished from 250-900 AD in Central America, developing one of the few fully written languages of the Americas as well as advanced mathematical, astronomical and architectural achievements. However, they mysteriously declined around 900 AD. The Aztec civilization dominated central Mexico from 1250-1521 AD, practicing intensive agriculture and human sacrifice on a large scale while expanding their influence. The Inca civilization spanned Peru and Chile from 1220-1532 AD, emphasizing a centrally managed economy focused on agriculture and redistribution of wealth over military conquest, with a polytheistic religion centered on sun worship.

1. EARLY AMERICAN CIVILIZATION EARLY AMERICAN CIVILIZATION EARLY AMERICAN CIVILIZATION

3. MAYA When: 250-900 A.D. Where: Yucatan Peninsula Modern-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras Only complete written language in the New World 550-character logosyllabic alphabet

4. MAYA Mayan alphabet (an example)

5. MAYA Huge, monumental architecture Stairways to heaven Burial mounds that grew and grew

6. Detroit, MI (1928) Tikal, Guatemala (695 AD)

7. MAYA Very ritualistic Displayed war captives Human sacrifice Monotheistic God and corn Merchants and traders Established trading posts all around Mesoamerica tzompantli

8. MAYA Advanced mathematics system Advanced astronomy, calendar system Eighteen 20-day months Five “unlucky,” unnamed days 18 x 20 = 360, +5… not bad!

9. MAYA “ Hey, Mr. T., what about… … this whole ‘end of the world’ thing?” The Mayans could not predict their own demise. They simply died out around 900 A.D.

11. AZTEC When: 1250-1521 A.D. Where: Central Mexican Valley

12. AZTEC Expert farmers Domesticated many familiar, modern-day plants jicama cocoa banana squash pumpkin beans chili pepper tobacco onions tomatoes sweet potatoes jicama maize Cultivated the three sisters : corn , beans , and squash

13. AZTEC Spoken language: Nahuatl No written language Hieroglyphs recorded pictures, not words or syllables Used the Mayan calendar Public education till age 14

14. AZTEC Polytheistic Religion and mythology Human sacrifice was quite common 20,000-50,000 per year Occasional cannibalism Up to 100,000 priests employed in capital of Tenochtitlan

15. AZTEC Creator god: Quetzalcoatl Religion and mythology Half-bird, half-serpent, with the face of a man Fair skin Full beard Would return by sea The myth goes…

17. INCA Where: Modern-day Peru, Chile When: 1220 to 1532 A.D.

18. INCA An empire of wealth, not force Economy Complex system of wealth redistribution Corn, mostly Gold was worth less than preservable, edible goods Complex central government

19. Machu Picchu: Lost city of the Inca

20. INCA Polytheistic Religion and mythology Belief in reincarnation Primary deity: Inti the sun god You can take it with you Funeral included burial with items for next life

21. INCA Ritual cranial deformity Religion and mythology