Maya, Aztec, and Inca Civilizations

Pre-Columbian Society in North and South America

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

Aztecs – greenMaya - brown

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

Maya – Tikal

What’s he up to?

Theatre Statetallest building in the Americas until

the Flatiron Bldg. in1903

Writing Styles

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

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

Social Hierarchy• Aristocrats lived privileged lives (fine

foods, embroidered clothes, and large ears spools)– Spanish called them “big ears”

Inca ear spools

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.

• Taxes often paid in labor (mit’a)

• Labor groups

• ayllu = extended family organized groups

• NO writing – used kipus!