Early Civilizations of the Americas

  • Period: 250 to

    Mayan Civ.

    @Yucatan Peninsula
    - trade, science
    - connected by trade & tribute system
    - shamanistic kings & blood rituals (human sacrifice)
  • Period: 300 to Jun 4, 600

    Teotihuacan City-State

    AD, @Central Mexico valley
    - fertile land & good agriculture
    - religious pyramids
    - good military, but were invaded & destroyed
  • Jan 1, 700

    Tiahuanaco

    AD, @Andean highlands
    - trade b/w highlands & valley (fish & cotton for fruit & veggies)
    - sandstone pyramid carried water
  • Period: Jun 4, 1325 to Jun 4, 1521

    Aztec Empire

    AD, @Valley of Mexico
    - Tenochtitlan: capital city on Lake Texcoco w/ canals & fertile land
    - Emperor w/o firm authority --> unstable political scene
    - polytheistic, priests are intercessors; sun god required human sacrifice
  • Period: Jun 4, 1438 to Jun 4, 1532

    Inca Empire

    AD, @Andes (from Colombia to Chilean Argentina)
    - civil war => easy to conquer
    - encomiendas from Pizarro (conquered in 1532); when owner dies, they go back to king's possession (prevent heritage probs)
    - capital: Cuzco, Lima
    - language: Quechua
    - last emperor: Atahualpa
  • Period: to Jun 4, 1470

    Chimu Empire

    AD, @Moche Valley (Andes)
    - highly commercialized; much trade
    - Chan Chan: biggest Moche City
    - Inca invastion: 1470
  • Period: to Jun 4, 1100

    Toltecs

    AD, @Central Valley of Mexico
    - capital: Tula