Social Studies Flashcards (Mayas, Incas, Aztecs, and Mississipians)
(32 cards)
Civilizations
an advanced state of human society
Mesoamerica
a cultural region centered around southern Mexico in which a number of early American civilizations developed
Polytheistic
the belief in or worship of more than one god
City-state
a self-governing region consisting of a city and its surrounding territory
Hieroglyphics
a writing system that uses pictures and symbols
Astronomy
the science of observing stars to keep track of yearly patterns
Calendars
a chart or drawing that helps keep track of each day of the year
Empire
a group of countries or regions controlled by one ruler
Plateaus
a high elevated piece of land with a flat surface
Mummified
to preserve a body by embalming in and wrapping it in cloth
Emperor
a powerful ruler that controlled an empire
Sapa Inca
the emperor that ruled the Incas
Allyus
a group of people organized into family units of 10-20 people
Terrace Farming
cutting pieces of the hill or mountain flat so you can farm on it
Epidemic
a widespread outbreak of a contagious disease
Irrigation Canals
a human-made channel across land that moves water from its source to where its needed for growing crops
Litters
a vehicle consisting of a chair or bed carried on two poles by people or animals
Terraces
a flat leveled area carved into a slope
Aqueducts
a channel or canal made for moving water across land
Technochtitlan
a great big city that the Aztec’s built that had thousands of homes, a royal palace, and a zoo
Multicropping
planting one crop, harvesting it, and then immediately planting another crop on the same field
Montezuma II
the ninth and last true emperor in ancient Aztec civilization
Chinampas
floating gardens that the Aztec’s built to expand their food supply
Adobe
logs or clay bricks that the Aztec’s homes were built out of
