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?
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?
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?
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?