<p>Name:______Date:______Social Studies Room 300 HW#19</p><p>Maya Civilization information found on pages 368 and 369.</p><p>-This civilization thrived around 250 – 900 A.D.</p><p>-This civilization had many great cities.</p><p>-Two of the more popular/well known cities were Tikal, in present day Guatemala and Copan in present day Honduras.</p><p>-These cities contained large, ornate temples and pyramids.</p><p>-The cities were religious, economic and political centers.</p><p>-The Mayas made two accurate calendars. One was used for holidays and one was used for the changing of the seasons.</p><p>-Mayans developed writing by using glyphs (signs and symbols) called hieroglyphics.</p><p>-Mayans were one of the few civilizations, which used zero as a math concept, to mean “none of something.”</p><p>-The great Mayan mystery: What happened to the Mayan civilization? About 900 A.D. Mayan cities went on a decline. Was it crop failure? Famine? Disease? Or was it drought? No one knows for sure. Some people believe it may have been rebellion against the control of the priests.</p><p>Aztec Civilization information found on pages 370 and 372.</p><p>-Aztecs arrived in the Valley of Mexico in the 1100s.</p><p>-They settled on an island in Lake Texcoco, in 1325.</p><p>-They rebuilt swampy Lake Texcoco into the great city of Tenochtitlan (the nawch tee TLAHN).</p><p>-By 1400, Aztecs were fierce warriors who conquered surrounding tribes.</p><p>-Conquered people were forced to pay tribute by way of taxes. </p><p>-Taxes could be food, cotton, gold or slaves. </p><p>-Conquered people could also be used for human sacrifices to the Aztec gods.</p><p>-Most Aztecs were farmers.</p><p>-Aztecs created the incredible chinampas, which were “artificial floating gardens.” (see page 371)</p><p>-The great Aztec cities had huge temples, wide streets, canals and floating gardens.</p><p>-The cities even had museums and zoos.</p><p>-The Aztecs also had an accurate calendar. Name:______Date:______Social Studies Room 300 HW#19</p><p>-Aztec Astronomers were able to predict eclipse and planet movement.</p><p>-Aztecs used hieroglyphics.</p><p>-Aztec doctors made over 1,000 medicines from plants.</p><p>-Aztec armies made it safe for travel on roads which was important for trade.</p><p>-Aztec used barter and no money.</p><p>-Because of trade, they were able to acquire crops from distant lands.</p><p>-Trade also included crafts, weapons, tools, and luxury items like jaguar skins, cacao beans and fine jewelry.</p><p>-The Aztec civilization came to an end in mid 1500s when Cortez came for a visit. (we will learn more of this later.)</p>