Mesoamerica
Where is Mesoamerica located?
Central America (Middle of the Americas)
This city was the most popular in this civilization and contained plazas and trade centers.
San Lorenzo
The Maya city-states had a strict class system. Nobles and priests assisted _______ in governing the city-states. Below them were farmers, artisans, and hunters. People of this class paid taxes and worked on large building projects.
Kings
The conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire and brought large portions of what is now mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile in the early 16th century.
Hernan Cortes
To hold the empire together, Inca rulers created a ____ ____ _____.
strong central government
What was the climate like in Mesoamerica?
Hot and humid.
This civilization was considered Mesoamerica mother culture because they began many traditions that would later be used by other civilizations? Name One.
Mayans or Aztecs
Each Maya city-state was ruled by a king, who claimed they were a descendants from the ___ god.
Sun
According to Aztec hierarchies, who was at the bottom of the pyramid?
Farmers and slaves.
Where were the INCA civilization located.
List capital city, country, continent.
Cuzco. Modern Day Peru, South America
What one natural resources found in Mesoamerica?
Jade, Obsidian, Salt
The Olmec created centers for _________. In these areas, they built _____ and other stone monuments.
religious ceremonies, pyramids
Most famous Mayan site (pyramids) also named a Modern Wonder of the World.
Chichen Itza
What were two reasons for the decline of the Aztec empire? Name One.
Diseases
Warfare with Spain
Inca engineers developed ____ ______. It was a series of wide steps built into a mountainside. Each step creates level farmland.
terrace farming
Inca.
The Olmec built what may be the oldest culture in Mesoamerica. It started round ______.
1200 BC
Why did the Mayan civilization collapse?
warfare among city states
soil erosion
What was the capital city of the Aztecs?
Tenochtitlan
What was the famous structure of the Inca civilization located in the _____ mountains was called?
Andes, Machu Picchu
Before these ancient civilizations arrived in the Americas, what kind of people were here first?
Hunters & gatherers (nomads)
Why did the Olmec civilization collapse?
Invasion / Invaded
A group of inland peoples rose to power in central Mexico.
The three most important accomplishments of the Mayans were _____________. Name one.
their writing system, mathematics system based on 20 used the concept of zero, and their calendar.
Priest performed ______ ______ in religious ceremonies to please the Gods.
human sacrifice
The Spanish conquistador that conquered the Incas.
Francisco Pizarro