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Aztec and Mayan civilizations
1. Ancient civilizations in Central and South America such as the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca developed advanced farming techniques, polytheistic religions, and architectural achievements like pyramids and calendars. 2. The Aztec and Inca empires dominated large regions through military power and established governance systems, but disease and superior weapons helped the Spanish conquistadors like Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro conquer these civilizations in the 16th century. 3. Key cultural aspects included Maya calendars and mathematics, Aztec floating gardens and education systems, and Inca infrastructure like roads and medical knowledge.
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Aztec and Mayan civilizations
- 2. Ancient civilizations ofthe Americas
- 3. Farming Techniques • Slash-and-burn • Chinampas • Irrigation • Terraces
- 4. Polytheistic Religion corn god) • Olmec (Jaguar rain god, fire and • Aztec (1,000 gods, sun god most important – Calendar told them when to celebrate • Mayan (160 gods, sun, moon, rain and corn) – Ceremonies such as ball game – Sacrifice animals and people to the gods
- 5. Spanish Conquest • SpanishConquistadors (conquerors) conquered most of South America and much of North America. Disease, native allies and superior weapons helped – Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztecs – Francisco Pizzaro conquered the Inca
- 6. Pyramids • The Olmec,Maya and Aztec all used pyramids for religious ceremonies. On top, you were closer to the gods. – Priests not kings were on top. – Aztecs would sacrifice humans on top of their sun pyramid.
- 7. Calendar/Astronom y • Mayans used calendar to know when to plant and harvest. They marked dates and made predictions (ie 2012) • The Aztec Calendar did the same but, it also told them when to have their religious ceremonies.
- 8. Priests, Noble, Farmers • Priests in all cultures were in charge of the ceremonies that brought rain, sun, harvest and good luck. Often, they were the only ones who could read. • Nobles were the powerful leaders: kings, warrior and rich. • Farmers were often slaves or poor peasants who could be nothing else but a farmer.
- 10. The Olmec Sculpture Legacy • Considered the Mother Culture that affected all cultures. - glyph writing (pictures) -Pyramids -Large sculptures -Worshipped sun and rain gods. • 3,000 Years old.
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- 12. Mayan Class Structure Class Structure • Ruling class (kings) • Nobility (scholars, architects, priests, merchants) • Peasants (warriors and farmers) • Slaves (captured enemies)
- 13. Mayans (500 bc-1500ad) Achievements Moon Pyramid • Codex a book that used glyphs for writing. • Built 40 large cities and the largest pyramid outside of Egypt. • Great mathematicians, astronomers and calendar makers.
- 14. Accomplishments • Terraces • The number zero The Maya • Brain Surgery • Chasqui • 200,000 Man Army • 40 large cities • 12 Million subjects • Accurate calendar
- 15. Accomplishments Numeric System Terraced Farming with the # 0
- 16. Accomplishments Mayan Calendar 40 Large Cities
- 17. Which One isMayan? Wrote Codex Books Wrote w/ Quipus
- 18. Which one isMayan? Chinampas Large Pyramids
- 19. Which is Mayan? BallGame Canals
- 20. Which one isMayan? Massive Sculptures Irrigation
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- 26. Introduction •For the first200 years, the Aztecs were constantly on the move. •They came from Aztlan (somewhere in the north) •Sun and war god told them to settle where they saw an eagle on a cactus.
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- 28. Settlement the Aztecs settledon an island in Lake Texcoco. Their city was called Tenochtitlan They built canoes so they could fish, hunt waterfowl, and trade.
- 29. Empire • 12 million people lived in the Aztec empire • Aztecs became rich off of tribute (a tax on conquered people)
- 30. Religion • Calendar told when to farm, and what ceremonies to use. • Gods were agriculture gods. • For a good harvest it was important to have a sacrifice.
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- 32. Floating Gardens To survive on an island in a lake, the Aztecs made floating gardens called chinampas.
- 33. Free School forEveryone The Aztecs were the only people to have free schools that every child had to attend. They read and studied codices (a codex but more advanced)
- 34. All-Girls School Girls learned about religion and were trained to be good wives and mothers. They also learned how to make beautiful woven textiles.
- 35. Spanish Conquest Cortez andMontezuma • Cortez defeats Montezuma II with the help of: • disease • Indian allies • Superior weapons • Aztec’s believed he was a god.
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- 39. GovernInG an empIre • Divided empire up into family groups • Make everyone learn the Quechua language • The conquered were allowed to follow their traditional ways
- 40. in the Empire • Usedterraces on mountain sides. • Used irrigation • Llamas for food, wool and packing • Chasquis • Huge road system
- 41. Inca Army • 200,000man army •Army was mainly commoners who had to join during times of war
- 42. WrITInG Quipu • The allowed for excellent government records: taxes, trade… • They could be used to send messages • Some were used to preserve their history and legends.
- 43. Roads • 14,000 milesof Roads. Built bridges, tunnels, Steps, and flat roads
- 44. Medical Advances • Brain surgery • Medicine • Blood transfusions • Quinine: for fevers.
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- 48. The Olmec/Mother Culture
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Editor's Notes
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- #33 S Teacher’s notes: The Aztecs created more useable land by filling in marshlands and swamps. They created even more by building dikes to hold back the water.
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- #40 Inca: South American Indians ruled Tawantinsuyu (Incan name of empire) that extended along the Pacific coast and Andean highlands from northern border of modern Ecuador to Maule River in central Chile
- #41 Polytheistic religion - Pantheon headed by Inti-the sun god , also included Viracocha-a creator god and culture hero , Apu Illapu-rain god , special attendants “chosen women” People offered food, clothing, drink to guardian spirits; gods linked to forces of nature; each month own festival