1.

5c AZTEC CIVILIZATION
 AZTECS - one of the pre-Columbian American Indian tribes that invaded the Mexico Valley in the 1300's
AD.
 CHINAMPAS - Artificial islands in the shallow waters. (To serve as their cropland)
 GREAT TWIN CITIES built by Aztecs: founded between 1368 and 1371
 TENOCHTITLAN - capital of the mighty Aztec Empire.
 TLATELOLCO - commercial center
 MONTEZUMA II - began his reign as emperor in 1502, Aztec empire was at the height of its power.
 HERNANDO CORTES - led the Spanish invaders in 1521; considered it their duty as Christians to wipe
out the pagan empire of Aztecs.
 MEXICO CITY - present day founded by the Spaniards.
 TENAYUCA and TEPOTZLAN - where Aztec pyramids-like temples near Mexico City can be found and
exhibit its past glory.
 Early in the 1500's AD - The Aztecs were technologically in transition from the Neolithic (Stone Age) to
metal stage (Bronze age)
 Aztecs constructed towering temples where they created huge sculptures of their gods and held
religious ceremonies that featured bloody human sacrifices.
 In war, they used as their chief weapon a wooden club edged with sharp pieces of volcanic glass
(to disable and capture enemies and usually offered to gods as human sacrifices)
 Spears, bows, and arrows were also used
 Warriors wore padded cotton armors and carried shields for protection.
 CALENDAR STONE - famous Aztec Indians' carvings represented the Aztec's universe;
3.7 meters in diameter;
- its center is the face of their sun-god.
- depicted the regular motions of the heavenly bodies, as well as religious
symbols and those for the days of the Aztec months.
 260-DAY CALENDAR - which the priest used to determine lucky days for planting crops, building houses,
and going to war.
 SOLAR CALENDAR of days grouped into 18 months of 20 days each plus extra 5 days.
 The Aztecs used a pictographic form of writing which consisted mostly of small pictures that symolize
ideas.
 SLASH AND BURN - method of fertilizing the soil.
- way of farming, unique in thr Aztec's agricultural practices
 In the highlands, they cut terraces into the hillsides to increase the level of farmland and to
prevent erosion.
 The irrigation system effectively watered their plants.
 AZTEC'S ART AND CRAFT:
 Pottery, stone cultures, metal workings, wood carvings, and weaving of cloth.
 SPICY TACOS AND TORTILLAS - The original corn chips.
 The Aztecs concocted an alcoholic drink using the juice of Maguey plants.
 Chocolate beverages
 Small Sweat House - prototype of our modern sauna.

1.5d INCA CIVILIZATION

1
 INCAS - Originally an Indian Tribe who established a vast empire during the 1400's AD in South
America.
 Incas were late-comers in overall cultural sophistication compared with the Mayas and the Aztecs.
 In less tha a hundred years, their empire attained the height of social and political power.
 FRANCISCO PIZARRO - In 1538, he led only a few hundred Spaniards to conquer the once mighty Inca
empire within 5 years only.
 DEVELOPED AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY:
 The Inca farmers transformed the steep mountainsides of their highlands into networks of terraced
fields linked by a system of miles-long irrigation canals.
 TERRACED FIELDS - effectively reduced erosion
 IRRIGATION CANALS - ensured water supply for the plants during the long dry season.
 Some 40 varieties of plants were domisticated and cultivated intensively in all the arable areas.
 AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS - the primary source of sustenance.
 CORN GRAINS - stored in big urns were prepared for cooking as needed in using a stone grinder.
 BREAD - made from corn flour.
 Hunting weapons consisted of Slings, clubs, and nets for catching birds amd fish
 MEAT - simply cooked either by boiling or roasting.
 Plates and cups, made of clay, wood, and metal were used in eating.
 Clothes were woven out of wool obtained from domesticated llamas and alcapas.
 Inca Indians of Peru made use of their mathematical knowledge in constructing buildings and roads.
 Excellent stoneworks common in the construction of roads and public buildings were done by drafted
village Indian laborers under the supervision of full time architects and masons?
 Massive stones weighing several tons were moved out on rollers and ramps.
 Tight-fitting joints were fashioned to hold the stones in place wthout a need for mortar.