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Maya, Aztec, and Inca Civilizations

Explore the pre-Columbian societies of Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations in North and South America. Discover their innovative agriculture, social hierarchies, monumental structures, and religious practices like human sacrifice. Uncover the rich history of these advanced cultures through their art, architecture, and governance.

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Maya, Aztec, and Inca Civilizations

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  1. Maya, Aztec, and Inca Civilizations Pre-Columbian Society in North and South America

  2. 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

  3. Aztecs – greenMaya - brown

  4. 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

  5. Maya – Tikal

  6. Theatre Statetallest building in the Americas until the Flatiron Bldg. in1903

  7. Writing Styles

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. Social Hierarchy • Aristocrats lived privileged lives (fine foods, embroidered clothes, and large ears spools) • Spanish called them “big ears” Inca ear spools

  11. 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.

  12. Taxes often paid in labor (mit’a) • Labor groups • ayllu = extended family organized groups • NO writing – used kipus!

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