The Mayan Civilization
From around 300 A.D. (C.E.) through 900 A.D. (C.E.), the Mayan civilization flourished in the Yucatán Peninsula in Central America. This civilization was known for its sophisticated structures, government, and cultural achievements. At its height, it is estimated that the Mayan population numbered in the millions.
The Yucatán Peninsula, which the Mayans called home, is in the modern-day Mexican and Central American rain forests. This peninsula is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. It is shrouded by tropical jungles, which has kept evidence of the culture hidden until the past two hundred years. Take a moment to view the video, Homeland and Geography, from eMediaVASM, to discover more about the environment in which the Mayan civilization thrived. Be sure to take note of the terrain, climate, and size of the area that supported this culture.
Because the Mayan habitat consisted of jungle, evidence of the culture was only rediscovered in the past two hundred years. In this interactivity, you will explore information about the Mayans, including their geography, economy, society, government, religion, and achievements. Click the player button to begin.
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The Aztec Civilization
The Aztec civilization was a powerful and sophisticated empire by the time European explorers arrived in Mesoamerica. Although their culture had developed with no contributions from African, European, and Asian societies, the Aztecs succeeded in developing advancements ranging from agricultural techniques to mathematics. An emperor ruled the empire, and as more territories were conquered, these communities had to support the Aztec economy by paying tribute in the form of resources like crops and slaves. In this interactivity, you will learn about the Aztecs. Click the player button to begin.
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The Incan Civilization
The Incan Empire was a Pre-Columbian civilization that began as a small community in an area known as Cuzco, located high in the Andes Mountains of South America. Around 1440 A.D. (C.E.), the Incan Emperor Pachacuti embarked on a campaign to expand its borders. Although he sometimes used forceful conquests, Pachacuti typically incorporated smaller Andean communities into the civilization by peaceful assimilation. The empire usually sent a messenger, or runner, to neighboring lands, claiming that the emperor was the son of the sun, and that he did not want to take their riches, but instead wanted to give them valuable gifts in exchange for a small tribute. Local leaders welcomed the new alliance with the Incan empire, whose demands steadily increased until the community, which was surrounded by other Incan satrapies, or communities, had no choice but to become absorbed by the empire. By viewing the map, you can see the extent of Pachacuti's expansion, as well as expansions by later Incan emperors.
By the time Europeans encountered the Incan Empire, it was larger than the Aztec Empire and even the Ming Dynasty's territory. The area encompassed present-day Peru, northern Chile, and parts of Columbia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina. Amazingly, this unified empire also included diverse terrain from Amazonian rainforests, the mountainous highlands of the Andes, and deserts of the Peruvian coast.
The Incan empire grew from a small tribe in southern Peru to a large civilization that thrived on agriculture and a surplus of food. Take a moment to view the video, Inca Homeland, from eMediaVASM. As you watch, be sure to take note of how you believe this environment shaped the civilization.
The Incan civilization dominated the western coast of South America from around 700 A.D. (C.E.)
to 1530 A.D. (C.E.). In this interactivity, you will learn more about the dynamic culture of the Inca. Click the player button to begin.
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Pre-Columbian Civilizations in the Americas Review
Now that you have explored pre-Columbian civilizations in the Americas, review your knowledge in this interactivity. Click the player button to get started.