What were the ancient civilizations of Latin America and their major accomplishments? THE ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS OF LATIN AMERICA WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT THESE GROUPS? The Mayas The Aztecs The Incas WHO WERE THE ANCIENT PEOPLE OF LATIN AMERICA? Ò The people of Latin America (Mesoamerica) were the agricultural- based societies of Mexico & Central America É Pre-Columbus Ð (prior to 1492) Ò Three (3) major groups: É Aztecs É Incas É Mayas WHERE DID THESE CIVILIZATIONS COME FROM? Ò Arrival of the first man in America Ð Land bridge (Alaska) Ò Common ancestors: The Olmecs Ð Lived in Central Mexico Ò These civilizations grew due to a number of factors: É Use of land (farming) É Development of government É Development of “the arts” WHO WERE THE AZTECS? Ò Dominant native group of central Mexico Ð The Valley of Mexico Ò Conquerors Ð Powerful military Ð Vast alliance system Ò Well-organized / educated society Ð Skilled engineers FOUNDING OF THE AZTEC CAPITAL THE AZTEC MILITARY AZTEC’S HUMAN SACRIFICE WHO WERE THE MAYAS? Ò Most advanced native group of the Latin America Ð Yucatan Peninsula Ò Very advanced written language & “the arts” Ð Math & astrology Ò Ancestry still around today MAYAN RUINS IN THE YUCATAN MAYAN OBSERVATORIES APACOALYPTO (2006) MAYAN CALENDAR – IS DOOMSDAY COMING? 2012 (2009) WHO WERE THE INCAS? Ò Dominant native culture of South America Ð Andes Mountains Ò Complex government system Ð Branches of government Ò Skilled Engineers Ð Network of roads / communication INCAN FARMING TECHNOLOGY INCAN ROADS AND ENGINEERING MACHO PICCHU HOW DID THESE CIVILIZATIONS COME TO AN END? Ò No one is really sure what brought each down É Spanish colonization É Disease É Internal problems .