Ancient Civilizations of the
Western Hemisphere
Maya, Aztec, & Inca

Maya - Location southern Mexico into northern
Central American called the
Yucatan Peninsula

Maya - Climate dense, steamy rain forests

Maya – Time Period
250-900 a.d.

Maya – Government independent city-states ruled by kings – seen as god-king, established dynasties

Maya – Key City
Chichen Itza

Maya – Economy

1. Agriculture – maize, beans, squash

2. Trade – salt, flint, feathers, shells, honey, jade ornaments, textiles

Maya – Religion



1. Polytheistic – many gods
2. Pyramids – dedicated to gods and famous rulers
3. Worship included material offerings,
 bloodletting, human sacrifice
4. Calendar – 260 days, 20 months, 13 days each month
- 365 day solar calendar, different gods
 ruled different days
5. Mathematics and astronomy – concept of zero, calendar planning

Maya – Writing

800 glyphs (symbols), on barkpaper called codex

Maya – Decline
 war and conflict between city states, overuse of land

Aztec - Location
Central Mexico – Valley of Mexico,
Modern day Mexico City

Aztec - Climate
Hot, large shallow lakes, good resources, fertile soil

Aztec – Time Period
1200 – 1521 A.D.


Aztec – Government
Triple Alliance with Texcoco and
Tlacopan, 38 provinces, Emperor with absolute power
- loose control over empire with exception of tribute payments

Aztec – Key City

Tenochtitlan = capital

Aztec – Economy
1. Agriculture – maize, cacao beans, cotton
2. Trading Network – with
Tenochtitlan as ultimate marketplace

Aztec – Religion
1. Polytheistic
2. Built temples and pyramids
3. 2 calendars
4. Human sacrifices to sun god

Aztec – Writing
No real mention – writing system of pictures derived from earlier
MesoAmerican cultures

Aztec – Decline

Montezuma II reign – rebelling tribes

Spanish – Cortez conquered
Aztecs in 1521

Aztec Primary Source
1)
2)
3)
How does the Author feel about the
Aztecs?
Do you think the account would have varied from Cortez perspective?
What do think in our society would be odd/disturbing to an outsider?

Inca – Location

Andes Mountains of South
America – Southern Peru

Inca – Climate

Mountainous

Inca – Time Period

1400- 1532 A.D.

Inca – Government

Believed that ruler was a descendent from the Sun god

Nobility – ruling families

Bureaucracy – used small groups to work for the common good

Built extensive road system

Inca – Key City

Cuzco = capital

Machu Picchu – mysterious religious center or royal resort

Inca – Economy
1. Run by the state – regulated production of goods
2. Agriculture on terraced hillsides
– maize and quinoa (grain)

Inca – Religion
1. Polytheistic – natural spirits of moons, stars, sun, thunder, etc.
2. 2 Calendars
3. Sacrifices

Inca – Writing

None, but had string/knot math/accounting system

Inca – Decline

Civil War between two sons of a king and Pizarro