Unit 7: Americas to 1500 Flashcards
Aztec Definition
a Mesoamerican civilization that existed between 1300 and 1521 CE and became one of the largest and most powerful empires in Mesoamerica
Chavín (Chavin) Definition
a culture in the Andes Mountains that existed between 900 and 200 BCE
Inca Definition
a South American civilization that existed between 1400 and 1533 CE in the fertile Valley of Cuzco
Maya Definition
an advanced Mesoamerican civilization that existed as early as 2000 BCE and peaked from 250 to 900 CE in the northwestern isthmus of Central America
Mesoamerica Definition
a historic and cultural region that extends from central Mexico into Central America
Olmec Definition
the earliest Mesoamerican civilization that existed between 1200 and 400 BCE and influenced many cultures that came after it
Zapotec Definition
an early Mesoamerican civilization that existed between 500 BCE and 900 CE in the Valley of Oaxaca
Aquifer Definition
a layer of rock that holds water underground
Climate Definition
long-term weather conditions
Geography Definition
the study of the features of the earth and the interactions of humans with the earth
Terraced Farming Definition
a method of farming that involves building flat platforms into the side of a mountain for cultivation
Topography Definition
the different features that make up the surface of the earth
Artifact Definition
a human-made object of cultural significance
Avion Definition
a birdlike object; something that flies
Basalt Definition
a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock
Cosmo-magical Definition
a belief system that incorporates mythical creatures with the study of the movements of the sun, stars, and planets
Jade Definition
a hard green stone used for ornaments or jewelry
Obsidian Definition
a dark natural glass formed by the cooling of molten lava
Chinampa Definition
a field reclaimed from shallow, freshwater lake areas using an agricultural technique
Floodplain Definition
a gentle, flat area along a waterway, frequently covered with overflow water
Naturalistic Definition
of the natural world or real life
Seismic Definition
relating to a vibration in the earth caused by earthquakes
Silt Definition
the sediment and nutrients that fertilize crops
Slash-and-burn agriculture Definition
an agricultural practice of burning and clearing land
Zoomorphic Definition
relating to a deity figure having animal-like features
City-State Definition
a political system in which the leaders of the city can make all decisions for the people within their territory and are not overruled by a larger centralized government
Dresden Codex Definition
a Mayan document from the eleventh century that describes local history and astronomy through hieroglyphs and images
Yucatán Definition
a peninsular region of southern Mexico where Mayan civilization originated
Long-distance trade Definition
the exchange of goods across extended trade networks
Step Terrace Definition
a form of agriculture popular in Mesoamerica in which steps are cut into the earth to farm in mountainous regions
Mayan Calendar Definition
the ancient Mayan calendar system that included both a 260- and 365-day year
Climate Change Definition
the slow shifts in overall temperature and weather patterns over long periods of time
Environmental Degradation Definition
the deterioration of elements of the environment, such as soil or wildlife, leading to negative consequences
Mayan Classical Period Definition
the height of Mayan civilization from 250 CE to 900 CE
Overpopulation Definition
when the population of an area becomes greater than the resources in that environment can support
Aztlan Definition
according to Aztec tradition, the original homeland of the Mexica peoples
Huitzilopochtli Definition
initially a Mexica god, who guided the Mexica in their travels toward a promised land; usually associated with war and sun
Migrants Definition
the individuals who move from their home country to another country of residence permanently or for a long period of time
Tribute Definition
a payment to a leader in the form of labor, goods, or money
Valley of Mexico Definition
an area in modern central Mexico, located around Lake Texcoco and surrounded by mountains