Great Civilizations in the Americas

The Maya, Aztecs and Incas

What is a “Civilization?”

The Olmecs

1. .

2. 3,500 years ago

3. Developed in the forests along the Gulf of Mexico

The Maya

• 3000 years ago

• Present day Mexico and Guatamala

Mayan Cities

• The Maya built cities in Mexico and Central America

• .

• Stone pyramids towered over the cities

Mayan Society

Mayan society was divided by classes.

1. Warriors/Priests

2. Nobles, government officials

3. Peasant farmers

Advances in Learning

• Hieroglyphics –

• Painted them on paper

• Carved them into stone columns

Advances in Learning Calendars

• Had 2 calendars. • One had 20 13-Day months for religious

purposes. • The other had 18 20-Day months, based

on the sun.• They linked the 2 together to identify

days that would bring good fortune.

Advances in LearningAstronomy

• Very accurate.

• Calculated the Solar Year almost perfectly.

Why all the advancements?

• Developed knowledge in these areas to help understand their gods.

The Decline-Why?