Mayan and Aztec

Civilizations
By: Shruthi, Connor,
Sebastian, and Zoe

Origins
Mayan

Aztec

Mayans in northern Guatemala, 2600

B.C.

Aztecs built their empire around 1428

C.E

Earliest intact artifacts from 1500 B.C.

Came from a land called Aztlan

Pottery found near Pacific Ocean, 9001500 B.C.

Aztlan means white land

Location/Geography
Mayan
Eastern third of Mesoamerica-Yucatan
Peninsula
Volcanic Mountains in the SouthHighlands
Porous limestone shelf-Lowlands
Southern Lowlands-rainforest
Northern Lowlands-drier forests

Aztec

From Pacific to Gulf of Mexico

Built their empire on a swamp
Land was perfect for farming

Agriculture
Mayan

Aztec

Slash and burn form of agriculture

Aztecs had large markets

Lowlands produced crops used for

personal consumption

Aztecs grew lots of food

Principal crop was maize

Grew squash, beans, chili peppers, and
cotton

Squash
Avocadoes
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Beans

The Aztecs used Chinampas to farm

Religion/Culture
Mayan
Mayans worshipped many deities and
gods
Hunab Ku, creator of the universe
Sacrifices were practiced for their
deities
Slaves, children, and criminal were
sacrificed
Nacoms cut out hearts of sacrifices
Nacoms wore all black, used knives

Aztec

Aztecs sacrificed people to their gods

Huitzilopochtli, god of war, and sun
Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent
Had a 365 day solar calendar
Had a 260 day ritual calendar

Clothing
Mayan
Men wore loincloth, or short skirts
Women wore long skirts
Outfits were often decorated with
jewelry
Hair was almost always tied up
Public Events-ruling class-large, lavish
outfits
Large feathered headdresses
Jade jewelry
Clothing made from skins of dangerous

Aztec
Upper Class wore colorful clothing
items
They wore head-dresses and gold
Merchants wore elaborate clothing
items
Warriors wore cotton armour

Economy
Mayan

Aztec

Volcanic highlands-source of precious

metals

Aztecs where highly developed

intellectually

River systems used for transportation

There were two classes: servants &

nobles

Feathers, honey, and cocoa were

traded
Currency-cocoa beans, gold, jade,
copper

Lived in city-states
Citizens paid varying amounts of
tribute
Currency-cocoa beans, cloth (Quachtli)

Architecture
Mayan

Aztec

Used lime to construct many temples

Tenochtitlan was the main Aztec city

Buildings in Mayan cities shared

features

Relied heavily on cosmology,

astronomy, and religion

Cities had no linear layout

Tools-stones, chisels, and blades

Major pyramids formed perfect

isosceles triangles

Built temples and pyramids

Examples include Tikal, Yaxh, and

Nakum
Lime stucco used to strengthen
decorations

Built shrines dedicated to specific gods

Built chinampas

Works Cited
Aztec Architecture. Legends and Chronicles. 2007. Web. 13 Oct 2015
Cartwright, Mark. "Aztec Art." Ancient History Encyclopedia. 6 Jan. 2014. Web. 9 Oct. 2015.
Cartwright, Mark. "Aztec Civilization." Ancient History Encyclopedia. 26 Feb. 2014. Web. 9 Oct. 2015.
Cartwright, Mark. "Aztec Warfare." Ancient History Encyclopedia. 18 Mar. 2015. Web. 8 Oct. 2015.
Jarus, Owen. "The Maya: History, Culture & Religion." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 6 Dec. 2013. Web. 9 Oct. 2015.History.com,
Maya Architecture. Maya Architecture. 2015 Web. 09 Oct. 2015.
"Maya Civilization." Maya Civilization. 2015 Web. 7 Oct. 2015
Maya Human Sacrifice. Maya Human Sacrifice. 2015 Web. 08 Oct. 2015.
Origins of the Maya. Origins of the Maya. N.d., n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2015.
Smith, Michael. "The Aztec Empire." Aztec-History. 2003. Web. 9 Oct. 2015.
Staff. "Aztecs." History. 2006. Web. 9 Oct. 2015.
What Did the Ancient Maya Wear? What Did the Ancient Maya Wear? Web. 13 Oct. 2015.