Maya
What is obsidian? What was it used for?
Obsidian is a natural volcanic glass (molten lava that was hardened). It used for tools such as spearheads and knives.
What is a chinampa?
A chinampa an artificial island (or floating garden). It is used to grow crops on water.
The Andes Mountains are located in... (think continent)
South America
What is a drought?
What are examples of crops that the Mayans grew?
They grew corn, beans, tomatoes, cotton, sweet potatoes, squash, and peppers. (page 127)
What crop was considered as VALUABLE as money?
Cacao beans
They both involve holding back water. Dikes hold back water similar to a wall (water is one side). Dams hold back water on both sides and have the ability to move water from one side to another.
What is ayllu?
"A group of related families that pooled resources to meet people's needs"
an object made by a human being
The Aztecs did not have a well-developed writing system. They did have a tradition for communicating. What was this called?
The oral tradition! (Page 139) "Oral, or spoken, language was more important to the Aztecs than writing".
What were some of the major accomplishments of the Mayans? (At least 1)
They created a calendar system, they used astronomy (observatories), they created pyramids/temples, and created 800+ symbols for hieroglyphics.
How did nobles play a role in the Aztec government?
Nobles belongs to families descended from the first Aztec king. Some nobles were able to control villages and city neighborhoods. The nobles also got to play a role in picking a new king when the old king died.
"strips of level land that are planted with crops"
Terraces
What is an economy?
a system that a community uses to produce and distribute goods and services
Did the Mayans have horses or oxen to help them haul stone?
NO! (page 133) "The Maya had no horses or oxen and no wheeled vehicles to help them haul the stone."
How were the Mayan government and religion connected?
The religion leaders were also the kings and "top people" of the government. They made all the government decisions and they communicated with the gods.
"canals or pipes that carry fresh water"
Aqueducts
How did the Incans organize their empires?
Their empires were organized by ayllus. There were specific families that would distribute food and materials to make sure each person got their need met. There would be different parts of the land divided for the priests and gods, government, and for the people.
What is a conquistador?
a Spanish soldier-explorer
What things did the Incas craft with silver and gold?
They created "jewelry, dishes, statues, and wall decorations" (page 149).
What is a queztal? Why were they so important?
A queztal is a colorful tropical bird. The Mayans would trade their feathers for other things such as salt, dried fish, and pearls.
How could an ABSOLUTE MONARCHY be positive and how could it be NEGATIVE?
POSITIVE: Easier for one person to make decisions, rather than getting opinions from other people
NEGATIVE: the people of the land don't have many choices, the monarch doesn't have to pick what the people want or need
Why was the road system important for unifying the Incan Empire?
The road system stretched more than 15,000 miles and this covered deserts, mountains, and jungles. The road system gave the opportunity to trade items, materials, crops, and ideas. This opened the gates for CONNECTION.
a movement of new settlers and their culture to an area
Who was the most important Incan god?