Ancient Civilizations Ancient Civilizations of of Latin AmericaLatin America

The OlmecThe Olmec

The OlmecThe Olmec

Ancient Mexico along Caribbean coastAncient Mexico along Caribbean coast 1300 BC – 400 BC1300 BC – 400 BC Considered the “mother culture” of later Considered the “mother culture” of later

Mesoamerican civilizations.Mesoamerican civilizations. Built pyramids and huge sculptures Built pyramids and huge sculptures

(40 ton, 10 ft. heads, carried 50 miles)(40 ton, 10 ft. heads, carried 50 miles)

Overshadowed by the Mayans Overshadowed by the Mayans

Olmec StatuesOlmec Statues

The MayaThe Maya

The MayaThe Maya

Southern Mexico – Yucatan Southern Mexico – Yucatan Peninsula and GuatemalaPeninsula and Guatemala

300 A.D. to 900 A.D.300 A.D. to 900 A.D. Capital City = TikalCapital City = Tikal

Mayan AchievementsMayan Achievements

Developed a symbol for “0”Developed a symbol for “0” Played Mayan futbol (soccer) Played Mayan futbol (soccer)

Mayan FutbolMayan Futbol

What Happened to the What Happened to the Mayan Civilization?Mayan Civilization?

Mysteriously declined after Mysteriously declined after 900 AD, later conquered by 900 AD, later conquered by Spanish in 16Spanish in 16thth century. century.

Ancient Maya Video

The AztecThe Aztec

The AztecThe Aztec

Between 1300 A.D. and 1500 A.D.Between 1300 A.D. and 1500 A.D. Central MexicoCentral Mexico Capital City = Tenochtitlan (Mexico City)Capital City = Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) ““Chinampas” – floating islandsChinampas” – floating islands Developed a calendarDeveloped a calendar Conquered by Hernando Cortes (Spain) Conquered by Hernando Cortes (Spain)

in 1521in 1521

Tenochtitlan Tenochtitlan

The IncaThe Inca

The IncaThe Inca About 1300 A.D. to 1500 A.D.About 1300 A.D. to 1500 A.D. Ecuador, Peru, ChileEcuador, Peru, Chile Capital City = Cuzco (Peru)Capital City = Cuzco (Peru) Conquered by Francisco Pizzarro (Spain) Conquered by Francisco Pizzarro (Spain)

in 1531in 1531

Inca AchievementsInca Achievements

Medicine Medicine Trepanation - Skull SurgeryTrepanation - Skull Surgery

Developed “Quipu” for record keepingDeveloped “Quipu” for record keeping

Built cities in the Andes Mountains with Built cities in the Andes Mountains with terraces for farmingterraces for farming Famous “Machu Pichu” ruins (Peru)Famous “Machu Pichu” ruins (Peru)

Machu Pichu EngineeringMachu Pichu Engineering

Wright's excavation revealed a vast underground drainage system Wright's excavation revealed a vast underground drainage system with layers of topsoil, sandy gravel, and granite waste rock. Photo with layers of topsoil, sandy gravel, and granite waste rock. Photo credit: © 2009 NGHT, Inc. and WGBH Educational Foundationcredit: © 2009 NGHT, Inc. and WGBH Educational Foundation

Roughly 700 terraces carved into the mountain and fortified by Roughly 700 terraces carved into the mountain and fortified by granite walls help keep Machu Picchu stable. Photo credit: © granite walls help keep Machu Picchu stable. Photo credit: © Ricardo Preve/National Geographic TelevisionRicardo Preve/National Geographic Television

Another Inca marvel: On the morning of the summer solstice, light pours Another Inca marvel: On the morning of the summer solstice, light pours into a window of the Temple of the Sun to illuminate a sacred rock. into a window of the Temple of the Sun to illuminate a sacred rock. Photo credit: © Ricardo Preve/National Geographic TelevisionPhoto credit: © Ricardo Preve/National Geographic Television

The canal and fountain system, designed to provide a steady flow The canal and fountain system, designed to provide a steady flow of fresh water, shows remarkable planning and foresight. Photo of fresh water, shows remarkable planning and foresight. Photo credit: © Ricardo Preve/National Geographic Televisioncredit: © Ricardo Preve/National Geographic Television

Inca - QuipuInca - Quipu