Students will write 5 things they know or could infer about these ancient civilizations(where they are located, their religion, their architecture, etc.): Mayans, Incas, Aztecs

Answer 1

Here are five things for each of the ancient civilizations: Mayans, Incas, and Aztecs.

Mayans

1. Location: The Mayan civilization was primarily located in present-day southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and parts of Honduras and El Salvador.
2. Religion: The Mayans practiced a polytheistic religion, worshipping numerous gods associated with nature, agriculture, and astronomy, such as Kukulkan (the feathered serpent) and Itzamna (the creator god).
3. Architecture: They are well-known for their impressive architectural achievements, including step pyramids (like those at Tikal and Chichen Itza), palaces, and observatories, often constructed from locally quarried limestone.
4. Writing System: The Maya developed a complex writing system known as hieroglyphics, which combined logograms (symbols representing words) and syllabic symbols.
5. Calendar and Astronomy: The Mayans excelled in mathematics and astronomy, developing a sophisticated calendar system that included a 365-day solar calendar and a 260-day ritual calendar, reflecting their understanding of celestial cycles.

Incas

1. Location: The Incan Empire was located along the western coast of South America, primarily in present-day Peru, but it also extended into parts of Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
2. Religion: The Incas were polytheistic, worshipping a pantheon of gods, with Inti, the sun god, being one of the most important. They believed in the divine right of rulers, seeing them as descendants of the sun.
3. Architecture: The Incas are known for their remarkable stonework, building extensive cities like Machu Picchu and Cusco, utilizing a technique called ashlar, where stones are cut to fit together without mortar.
4. Road System: The Incas created an extensive and sophisticated network of roads and bridges, known as the Inca road system, facilitating trade, communication, and military movement across mountainous terrain.
5. Agricultural Innovation: They developed advanced agricultural techniques, including terrace farming and irrigation systems, which allowed them to cultivate crops in the challenging Andean environment.

Aztecs

1. Location: The Aztec Empire was located in central Mexico, with its capital, Tenochtitlan, built on an island in Lake Texcoco, where modern-day Mexico City now stands.
2. Religion: The Aztecs practiced a polytheistic religion with a strong emphasis on human sacrifices to appease their gods, particularly Huitzilopochtli (the god of war and the sun) and Quetzalcoatl (the feathered serpent god).
3. Architecture: They are known for their grand temples and pyramids, such as the Templo Mayor, which served both religious and ceremonial purposes, often decorated with intricate carvings and murals.
4. Tributary System: The Aztec Empire was highly organized, using a tributary system where conquered peoples were required to pay tribute in the form of goods and services, which helped sustain the empire's economy.
5. Education and Society: The Aztecs had a structured education system, with separate schools for nobles and commoners, illustrating their emphasis on training future leaders while ensuring cultural continuity among the population.

These points provide a basic understanding of each civilization's unique features, helping to illustrate their complexity and significance in history.