Pre Colombian Civilizatons Flashcards
Where is it
Mexico-Central America
Olmec
Known as rubber people because they traded rubber
Oldest known mesoamerican civilization
Created famous ball game called pits
Where is the Olmec located
Gulf of Mexico
Capital of Olmec
San Lorenzo- Red palace
Government of Olmec
City states(ruled by kings)
What happened to the Olmec
Environmental/climate change
Maya
Most advanced/well known of mesoamericans
Known for the pyramids/temples for their gods
Where is the maya
Central America
Language of Maya
Hieroglyphics
Religion of Maya
Blood letting(piercing and human sacrifices)
Polytheistic-sun god/maize god(believed humans were from corn/corn was major crop)
astronomer
Maya
Study stars/planets/calenders
Created dooms day calander- world would end in 2012
Maya government
Many city states-kings
What happened to the maya
Environmental/climate
Slash+burn farming
Aztec/Mexica
in Mexico
Last+Most powerful civilization
Strong military and harsh rulers
Conquered everyone and made them pay tribute(respect)
Aztec government
Empire-ruled by emperors
Capital of Aztec
Tenochtitlán-México city
Built on lake Texcoco
Aztec gods
Sun and moon god
Who invented chocolate
Aztec empire
Thought it was a gift from god(used as money)
Created day of the dead
What happened to the Aztec
They were conquered by the Spanish/hernan cortez(desire for gold)
Montezuma-last major emperor
How did the Spanish conquer the Aztec
1.Allies(20,000)
2.Aztec legend-thought the Spanish were gods
3.better weapons-horse+guns
4.dieseases
Inca civilization(Andean culture)
In Peru,Colombia,chile
largest civilization
mostly farmers-terrace farming potatoes
Inca road system
First road system in America-inca trail(25,000 mile)
Bridges and tunnels
Used by foot soldiers and messenger
Inca government
Empire-ruled by emperors
Cusco-capital
Macau pichu-religious center
What happened to the inca
Conquered by the Spanish/Francisco Pizarro
Atahualpa-last emperor
Things in common
1.All polytheistic
2.Ball game
3.no transportation
4.mostly vegetarian( 3 sisters, corn, bean, squash/pumpkin)
Birth of the Aztec civilization
Valley of Mexica(center of the moon/belly button)
Birth of the civilization
Important Maya citys
Chichen Itzá-capital
Tikal- religious center
