Africa
This large territorial empire flourished in West Africa from 1200 to 1400 CE and was led by military leaders like Sundiata.
What is Mali?
Because of their steep mountainous terrain, the Inca relied on this unique method of agriculture.
What is terrace farming?
Maya writing was known as this style, where pictures represented words, phrases, and ideas.
What is pictographic writing?
To farm on Lake Texcoco, the Aztecs built these "floating gardens" made from reeds and covered with dirt.
What are chinampas?
The Inca built their empire throughout the steep Andes Mountains, which required them to develop this specific style of stepped agriculture to grow food.
What is terrace farming?
This West African city became a world-renowned center of learning during the heights of the Mali and Songhai empires.
What is Timbuktu?
The Inca emperor held absolute power and was revered as a god-king, specifically considered the son of this celestial body.
What is the sun?
In Maya religious hierarchy, this nocturnal predator was feared and worshiped as the God of Night and seen as evil.
What is the jaguar?
According to legend, the Aztecs knew where to build their city when they saw an eagle perched on a cactus holding this animal.
What is a snake?
This grand capital city of the Aztec Empire was built in 1315 on a swampy island in Lake Texcoco.
What is Tenochtitlán?
Under the Ghana Empire, this group of merchants brought their religion, ideas, and gained power within the centralized government.
Who are Muslim merchants?
To keep records without a written system, the Inca used this method of knotted strings.
What is Quipu?
Maya cities were built as city-states centered around this specific architectural feature, topped with a shrine to the gods.
What is a central (step) pyramid?
Unlike many ancient societies, Aztec society allowed this bottom social class to own land and literally buy their freedom.
Who are slaves?
Under the Mali Empire, this famous ruler extended the empire's boundaries, converted to Islam, and famously went on a hajj to Mecca.
Who is Mansa Musa?
Despite having an efficient hierarchy, the Songhai Empire was ultimately defeated in part due to this crucial military disadvantage.
What is a lack of modern weapons?
To maintain tight imperial control, the Inca appointed these regional officials who answered directly to the emperor.
What are governors?
Positioned just below the divine chief, this social class served as city officials, scribes, and military leaders.
Who are the nobles?
In Aztec religious practice, human sacrifices were regularly offered to appease this specific chief Sun God.
Who is Huitzilopochtli?
In Maya religious hierarchy, gods were ranked by importance, and this specific animal was worshiped as the God of Night and feared as evil.
What is the jaguar?
These two major deserts make up roughly 40% of Africa’s geography.
What are the Sahara and Kalahari?
The Inca Empire was located throughout this major mountain range in South America.
What are the Andes Mountains?
The Maya flourished between 300 and 900 CE but eventually abandoned their cities, likely due to long periods of this environmental disaster.
What is drought?
Meaning "Place of the Prickly Pear Cactus," this swampy island city served as the capital of the Aztec Empire.
What is Tenochtitlán?
Around 800 CE, the West African kingdom of Ghana established its centralized government in this specific city.
What is Koumbi Saleh?