Aztecs
What was the biggest social class?
The commoners
Where did the Mayans live and how did they adapt?
In dense rainforests using the slash and burn technique to clear land
How were commoners grouped?
By gender and age
How did their houses differ?
Arctic people lived in igloos; subarctic dug homes in ground
What did the houses of the Southwest Pueblo people look like?
They were made of dried mud and many were built into cliffsides.
What was a type of artistic clothing they made?
Feather headdresses
What important buildings did the Mayans make?
Pyramids and observatories
What was the most important thing their calendars were used for?
To help farmers plan their crops
What did each group hunt?
Arctic people hunted seals, whales, and caribou. Subarctic people hunted moose, elk, and ducks.
How did the communities of the Northwest and Southwest differ?
Northwest had more forests for hunting and gathering, lived near ocean, making fishing important. Southwest relied on developing agriculture, creating irrigation systems to move water throughout dry lands.
Why did they perform human sacrifice?
To please the gods
Why were both kings & priests important in Mayan society?
Kings were often priests first; they believed both could communicate to gods; used to control society in order to please gods
How did they water their terrace mountain crops?
They built irrigation systems starting at the top of the mountain. This also watered the villages
What did both groups wear?
Leather and fur
Why did the Mississippians build mounds?
Some were built for religious purposes (tombs, to be closer to the sun god), some were built to show hierarchy (nobles and priests lived on mounds)
How did they adapt to living mostly on water?
They built dikes and aqueducts, chinampas, travelled by boat
How did Mayans write and why was it considered advanced?
Maya Script (hieroglyphs) was the only writing system in ancient Mesoamerica and was very complex
How did they unify their empire?
They had an organized society, complex road system, and strong army
What was a shared religious belief among Inuit people?
They believed in animism.
Where did the Mississippians live and what was their culture like?
They lived in the Southeast and had large complex communities
What were the Olmecs known for making?
Large stone carved heads
What was the Mit'a system?
Collective labor as public service instead of paying taxes in the form of money. Examples: agricultural, military, and construction
What is an activity that Northwest Native people still do today?
Canoe journeys