Americas civilizations
a set of actions that is always performed the same way as part of a religious ceremony
ritual
a symbol for a word, idea, or sound in a hieroglyphic system of writing
glyph
payment made by one ruler or country to another for protection or as a sign of submission
Tribute
The people of an important Mesoamerican civilization that lasted from about 2000BCE to 1500CE
Maya
people of a culture in the Andes Mountains of South America that arose in the 1400s C.E. and lasted until 1532
Inca
The region extending from modern Mexico through Central America
Mesoamerica
a gift of an animal for slaughter to honor the gods
sacrifice
Writing that uses pictures as symbols
hieroglyphic
A farming technique in which vegetation is cut away and burned to clear land for growing crops
Slash-and-burn
A runner in the Inca empire who carried messages around the empire
Chasqui
a Mesoamerican people who built an empire in central Mexico that flourished from 1428 to 1519 C.E.
Aztec
A counting tool of the Inca civilization, made from string knotted at various points
a social structure in the shape of a pyramid, with layers representing social classes of different rank
Social pyramid
a solid earthen roadway built across water or low ground
causeway
Ceremonial center
A raised garden bed, "floating gardens"
chinampa