Central & South American Central & South American Civilizations Civilizations

History never looks like history when you are living through it.

John W. GardnerJohn W. Gardner

CivilizationsCivilizations• 3 major civilizations3 major civilizations• Maya - Maya - Oldest of the Three CivilizationsOldest of the Three Civilizations

• Aztec - Aztec - Most war likeMost war like

• Inca - Inca - largest Civilizationlargest Civilization

MayaMaya• Lived 3,000 years agoLived 3,000 years ago• Built the great cities of Copan & TikalBuilt the great cities of Copan & Tikal• Had a structured social class (pg 49, Q 1,2)Had a structured social class (pg 49, Q 1,2)• Created accurate 365 day calendarCreated accurate 365 day calendar• Advanced numbering system that included Advanced numbering system that included

the number 0 the number 0 • Created a writing system called Created a writing system called

Hieroglyphics Hieroglyphics “pictures that form words “pictures that form words carved in stone”carved in stone”

• Modern day Cancun, Mexico has many Modern day Cancun, Mexico has many Maya ruinsMaya ruins

TikalTikal

CopanCopan

AztecAztec• Wonderers until 1300’s when their Wonderers until 1300’s when their

God told them to look for a signGod told them to look for a sign• Told to look for an Told to look for an Eagle Eagle sitting on top sitting on top

of a of a CactusCactus with a with a SnakeSnake in its mouth. in its mouth.• Where ever they found this would be Where ever they found this would be

the place to build their capitolthe place to build their capitol• The sign was found in the middle of The sign was found in the middle of

lake Texcoco / Built causeways lake Texcoco / Built causeways “raised “raised roadsroads” that connected to the city.” that connected to the city.

Mexican FlagMexican Flag

Today the Eagle, Cactus & Snake appear on the Mexican flag

Elaborate Class SystemElaborate Class System

Aztec TempleAztec Temple

Causeway = raised roads

IncaInca• Largest of the three great empiresLargest of the three great empires

• 3,000 miles along the Pacific coast of South America3,000 miles along the Pacific coast of South America

• Expansive road system to connect the empire = Expansive road system to connect the empire = runners would relay informationrunners would relay information

• At least 7 Million peopleAt least 7 Million people

• Built amazing terraces for harvesting cropsBuilt amazing terraces for harvesting crops

Superior Stone Work !

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• All three groups were great builders of All three groups were great builders of large Temples and their societies were large Temples and their societies were advanced.advanced.

• Each empire met the standards for a Each empire met the standards for a being classified as a being classified as a “highly civilized “highly civilized people”people”

• Built large cities Built large cities – – Organized government Organized government – – Social classSocial class//division of labor division of labor – – ReligionReligion – – Method for keeping recordsMethod for keeping records