early civilizations Flashcards
what is Mesoamerica called today
Central America
who lived in mezo amrica
Maya and Aztec
what coninebt was Mesoamerica
north America
what was the purpose of priests
please gods, victory in battle, good harvest
what did the priests study
Studied: the sun moon, stars and planets
Created/Invented
calendars, languages, number systems, farming methods
Location of each civilization – Aztec
Aztec: Mexico (Mesoamerica)
Location of each civilization Maya
Maya: Mexico & Guatemala (Mesoamerica)
Location of each civilization –Inca
Inca: western coast of South America (Andes Mtns)
Capital city (Aztec
Aztec: Tenochtitlan
Capital cities (2 major cities for the Maya)
Maya: Tikal & Chichen Itza
Capital cities
Inca- Cuzco
When Mayans abandoned their cities
around 900 AD
Sapa Inca-
Emperor of the Inca, descendant of the Sun God
Most important possession to the Aztecs
Human blood
Time periods for when each Empire / Civilization flourished – Maya
Maya: 250-900 AD
Time periods for when each Empire / Civilization flourished Aztec and Inca
Aztec and Inca: 1300-early 1500’s AD (Aztec and Inca were around at the same time)
Farming methods for each Civilization – Aztec
Aztec: Chinampas (floating gardens)
Farming methods Maya
Maya: Slash and Burn Agriculture
Farming methods inca
Inca: Terraces
What made the Inca empire so organized
Governors /Roads and Bridges / Runner System (messengers) / Conquered tribes were assimilated, taught the Quechua language
Most important god to the Inca and Aztecs
Sun God
Which Civilization had a fully developed written language? describe
Maya- glyphs or picture writing
Which Civilizations had one ruler and which had a ruler per city
Aztec & Inca: One Emperor / Maya: one ruler per city-state
Terrace –
Inca farming method: step like ledges built into the mountainside used to grow crops
Quipu –
knotted strings of ropes used by Inca relay runners and officials to remember important information
Adapt –
to change based upon your surrounding environment
Surplus –
extra amount
Chinampas
Floating Gardens: Aztec farming method: allowed them to grow crops on Lake Texcoco, which surrounded Tenochtitlan
Nomad –
people with no permanent homes, who follow their food
Causeway –
roads
Pagan-
a person/people who believe in multiple gods, usually connected to nature or the natural world (Native American Religion). The people honor the gods by giving them offerings or sacrifices, and performing ceremonies.
Cultural Diffusion-
the spreading of ideas, customs, languages, and technology across several nearby societies
Culture Region-
a geographic area where several societies have similar cultural elements
Polytheistic-
belief in multiple gods
How and why early Americans needed to learn how to farm AND what did farming lead to?-
Ice Age ends, the climate becomes warmer, certain animals begin to die off, and humans need to come up with different food sources {FARMING}- this adaptation allows for the creation of civilizations and Elements of Culture. When farming methods were mastered, populations could become larger.
which civilization practiced cranial deformation.
Inca
what civilization called the sun god inti
Inca
