THE EARLY AMERICAN CIVILIZATIONS

Standard 6-4.3: Compare the contributions and the

decline of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations in

Central and South America, including their forms of

government and their contributions in mathematics,

astronomy, and architecture.

LONG AGO...

Three separate, but similar,

civilizations developed and

flourished in Central and South

America.

Existed about 1100 years ago

between 400-1550 AD.

These civilizations were the

Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas.

AGRICULTURE

Farming contributed to the successes of these civilizations.

Growth of corn and other crops created a shift from hunter-gather

societies to more complex, stable societies.

All three societies were geographically isolated and left little culture

behind.

They are still considered to be advanced civilizations.

• COMPLEX SYSTEM OF CITY-STATES.

KING AND MILITARY FORCES WERE STATIONED ON YUCATAN

PENINSULA RAINFOREST AND SUPPORTED IT WITH AGRICULTURE

AND TRADE.

GEOGRAPHY PLAYED AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN THE RISE AND

EVENTUAL DECLINE OF THE MAYAN CIVILIZATION.

Maya Geography

MAYAN SETTLEMENT

Settled in an area called the Pet'en (Mayan word for "flat

region").

Region was heavily forested, contained numerous swamps,

and sinkholes.

Mayans realized such region provided a continuous source

of fresh water and can be farmed using slash and burn

techniques. (Process of removing forest by cutting down

wooded areas and burning left over debris).

This resulted in the removal of the surrounding rainforest.

MAYAN CITY-STATES

Ruled by kings believed to be

god-kings who descended from

the sun.

Kings claimed the right to rule

and expected Mayans to serve

and worship them.

Engineering was advanced

enough to produce extensive

cities that included pyramids to

honor the gods.

Step pyramids, temples and ball courts that remain at

Chichen Itza and Tikal are evidence of this.

MAYAN RELIGION

Polytheistic (worshiped many gods).

Priests studied the heavens closely to determine the plans of

the gods and know when to plant crops.

They prayed, made offerings, and sacrifices such as food,

gold, and sometimes humans.

MAYAN CONTRIBUTIONS

Studied astronomy and created a 365

day calendar.

Developed a base number system.

Developed a system of hieroglyphics

to record numbers and dates of

important religious festivals, plantings,

and harvests.

MAYAN TIMELINE

By year 500 AD cities had been in existence for more than

300 years and reached their highest point in economic

prosperity.

200 years later the Mayan population reached its peak.

Between 750 and 900 AD one Mayan city after another was

abandoned and much of the Mayan population

disappeared.

POSSIBLE RATIONAL FOR DISAPPEARANCES

Decline in food production. Decrease in water supply.

Invasion from outside groups.

http://www.kidskonnect.com/subject-index/16-history/256-

ancient-mayan.html

http://mayankids.com

http://www.nga.gov/kids/mayakids.pdf

http://mayaincaaztec.com

Additional Web Resources