Mya's Ancient Civilization Notebook

A Look at the

Mississippian, Maya,

Aztec and Inca

Civilizations

Ancient Civilizations
of the WBy: estern
HemBisyp:here

Mya

Learning About Time

Watch the “Commonly Asked Questions about Dates” video on
Schoology to learn about the abbreviations/key words listed
below. As you watch, pause the video and write in your own
words what each of these means.

What does B.C. stand Before Christ it’s also on the Christian
for when looking at calendar which is the same as
gregorian calendar.
dates?
In the year of our lord. This also in
What does A.D. stand the gregorian calendar.
for when looking at

dates?

What does B.C.E. stand Before common Era this is used to
for when looking at mark the same dates as B.C.
dates?

What does C.E. stand Common Era this is used to mark the
for when looking at same dates as A.D.

dates?

What do c. and ca. C and C. A. means around or
stand for when looking approximately. The actual word for it

at dates? is circa.

Multiple-tier Timelines

Multiple-tier timelines use two or more rows of events.
While each row represents a different subject, the time
period is the same.

Multiple-tier timelines can be used to help us look at
cause and effect relationships or patterns and themes
among events in a specific period of time.

We will be using a multi-tier timeline to show the rise
and fall of four early civilizations in the Americas: The
Mississippian, Inca, Maya, and Aztec and look for
RELATIONSHIPS between the dates.

The
Mississippians

The Mississippians

Although it was so long ago that the Mississippians were
around they still had many things we use today. They had
agriculture, religion and government just like our
government we have now. It wasn’t exactly the same
though. I think it’s time we learn what it was like.

The Mississippians government was called a
Chiefdom. The leaders were chosen based off their
religious belief. The people were put into groups based on
religious belief. A group called the Alates got advantages
such as better food, clothing and even houses. Another
group they could be in is called Commonors. Their
Government might be different from ours but everyone has
their own way of doing things!

The Mississippians religion was based off the sun and
the Serpent. That is why the Great Serpent mound is
shaped as one. They had many rules for their religion such
as 100 or more people would commit ritual suicide for their
chief. They would also build mounds to worship at.

The Mississippians grow many crops those including
corn, beans, squash, and different kinds of fish that they
would collect. They settled near river and lakes which were
good for drinking and also for their agriculture.

When we look back at how the Mississippians lived it
seems that they lived so differently from us but really they
didn't. The only difference is that now we rarely have to
work for what we need. Back then they had too. They
supported each other and helped each other no matter
how hard things got.

Where in the World…
Were the Mississippian Located?

What is the approximate latitude
and longitude of the location you
colored?

What might the weather be like in
this location based on the latitude
and longitude?

What is the approximate latitude and longitude of the location you colored?
33 degrees longitude and 84 degrees latitude. It’s in present day Georgia. Around Atlanta
Georgia. It west of south Carolina and east of Alabama.
What might the climate be like in this location based on the latitude and longitude?
The climate will be hot because it is close to the equator. Also it would have more humidity.
How would this affect the way people live in this area?

The soil will be good for agriculture because of rain and the sea. They need lighter
clothes to stay cool. Clean water may be scarce do to the fact that they are near the
equator. You would also need shelter from the sun.

What’s This?

Study this picture and then answer the questions
on the next page.

What’s This?

Use the picture on the previous page to answer the following
questions. *Note these answers are all based on your
observations at this point!

Great Serpent Mound, a What is
burial ground. this?

An egg in the serpent's What is the
mouth. circle on the
left side of the
It was made as a burial
ground used to bury people. drawing?

Why do you
think it was
made? What was
it used for?

It might have had a religious Why do you
meaning or it might think they
symbolize something. chose this

They molded dirt to make the shape shape?
and grew grass over it to blend in or for
How do you
structure reasons. think they
made this?

The Mounds

Read the Khan Academy article posted in your
Schoology course: Fort Ancient Culture: Great
Serpent Mound. After you read, complete the
page below with your team.

Describe the physical attributes What do archeologists believe
of the Serpent Mound in your might be the reason the mounds

own words: are shaped like a serpent?

In some way this mound They believe that the mound
was important to the imitates a constellation name
builders. The mound Draco. Also in their tribe
symbolized something Rattlesnakes were a common
that mattered to the theme.
people.

They think that the Fort The mound meant

Ancient tribe may have something to the tribe Danielle Knight GO Interactive, 2015

built this mound but that was important. It

another prediction is symbolized something

that the Mississippians that was something with

did. the tribe’s religion.

What relationship generalization

Who is believed to have created can you make between the

it? mounds and the people who

built them?

Research the Relationships

Explore the Mississippian links in the Symbaloo posted in your
Schoology course as well as in the books and other resources available
in class to complete this organizer.

What was the government like? The Mississippians grow in a chiefdom and the
Did powerful relationships exist
leaders are chosen based on religious belief.
between the people and their The people are very kind to the leader. The
leaders? Alate’s have advantages. They are a group and
they get things such as larger homes and better
How was their society set up?
What were the types of jobs clothing.
people had? Were the jobs people
did purposeful for the civilization? The Mississippians were set up by farming and
hunting for their food to survive. They made
Describe their religion. Did the their own houses good for bad weather. Jobs
relationship the people had with include farmers, hunters, and building. The
their gods and religious leaders jobs were important because they helped them
adapt to the landscape and without those jobs
follow rules? it would be hard to survive.

Their religion is mostly based off of the

Serpent and the sun. They had a lot of rules
one being 100 or more people were expected
to commit ritual suicide for their chief. They

did build mounds to worship.

What did the people invent, create, They made a lot of pottery and everyday items
or trade that allowed them to like cups and plates .which they would use for
exchange ideas or values with
others they had relationships trading. They were known for making these
with? artifacts.

What was the agriculture like? The Mississippians grew crops like corn, beans,
What food did they eat? How squash, and many different kinds of fish were
collected. They settled near rivers, ponds and
did they grow it? What lakes in order to get fish and use the water for
relationships did the people
have with their environment? drinking and helping with their agriculture.

Brain Pop

The Maya

The Mayans

The Mayans. A mysterious group of people who lived long ago way
before you were born. Imagine having to work for anything you want
and sacrificing people for the Gods you worship. Growing your own
food and having different ranks in the tribe. Not to mention the kings

and queens. This might sound like a fairytale but these brilliant
people came up with their own way of living.
What are the Mayans? When you think about them you might

automatically think, oh, people who had no way of navigating this world. No
way! They came up with their own writing, reading, numbers, food,
language, artifacts and so much more. They lived in Mexico growing
agriculture and making their own houses and clothes. When you think of
long ago what comes to mind? Fairy tales? Maybe. Well, the Mayans had
ranks and even Kings and Queens. King and Queens were part of those. They
were the highest. Then came the priests, then the Nobles, Craftsman and
Merchants, and finally commoners and slaves. Priests were so important.
They helped with religion and the lower ones were not as important. So they
had their own way of everything. One of the most important was religion
and beliefs. Let’s see how that all planned out.

Sacrificing people for the Gods and working day and night to stay alive.
That explains the Mayans. There was nothing more important to the Mayans
then religion. There were so many Gods like the God of Corn, the God of
storms, The God of Earth and more. They worshiped these Gods and
sacrificed people to satisfy them. Who did they sacrifice? The Mayans did not
just pick anyone out of the crowd, they leaned towards the lower ranks for
the people to sacrifice. Now, most religions are based off of something. Of
course for the Mayans, the Gods but also Heaven, Earth and the Underworld.
Something so important to their lives

The Mayans lived a hard but peaceful life. TThey lived
one with nature but living like that comes at a price. You
had to work hard to make a living. There really is only one
thing that encouraged them to do this. They loved what they
did.
“The only way to do good work is to love what you do.” -

Where in the World…
Were the Maya Located?

Map from ducksters.com What is the approximate latit
longitude of the center of the
Empire?
The approximate location 80
south longitude and 17 degre
North. North of present day G
and southwest of Mexico and

What might the climate
this location based on the lat
longitude?
The location is most likely ho
near the equator. The area c
lot of water because of the w
it. This is good for farming.It
scarce water on the other ha
weather is so hot and you wo
water because of the humidit

How would this affect th
people live in this area?
They would wear less or coo
because of the hot climate. T
need a lot of water too. Hot w
could also cause a drought w

The Mayan Government/
Social Structure

King or queen given
right to rule by the Gods

The king worked
between the people and

the gods

Priest is sometimes known as
king and has just as much
respect They were also said to
help with problems

Nobles:Did not have to pay for taxes
could choose if they wanted jobs or not

and lived easy lives

Merchants and Craftsman: Some were peasants who
wanted a better life and some were nobles who wanted

a job they made art and ran a business

Commonors
They are the lowest rank and have to pay taxes to the king or queen. They

had to do work and were often sacrificed to the Gods.

Slaves: Slaves were even more likely to be sacrificed
and had no rights

Mayan Religion Mural

We picked Gods to base our picture off of.
Each God had an element of the earth. We
had rain and lighting, storms, the Earth and
animals. We then joined them all together in
the middle like how they are joined to create
the Earth.

Mayan Language and
Number Systems

As you can see my name is split into the two sylobals that make
it up. The first glyph is the letter m for my first sylobal. The
second glyph is a y for the end of my name. It's so cool to see
how I would have written my name. This shows how they
created their own way to show numbers and letters the way we
do today. It’s amazing because of how simple ours are theirs
had so much detail, thought and character.

Determine the Relationships

Explore the Mayan links in the Symbaloo posted in your Schoology
course as well as in the books and other resources available in class to
complete this organizer.

What was the government like? The Mayan government was very strict. They
Did powerful relationships exist had important rules that the highest ranks
the king or queen set and was to be obeyed
between the people and their by the lowest ranks. The relationships were
leaders? poor.The Commonors couldn’t even look at
nobles faces. The people sacrificed lower
How was their society set up? ranks to the Gods.
What were the types of jobs
people had? Were the jobs people Some jobs include framers, building bricks,
did purposeful for the civilization? government position,caring for children,
homes and others health. It was set up by
Describe their religion. Did the
relationship the people had with the highest ranks. All the jobs were
their gods and religious leaders purposeful because without them nobles
have no one to care for things. It was hard to
follow rules? move to a higher rank then your already at.

What did the people invent, create, The Maya religion was based off of Heaven,
or trade that allowed them to Earth, and the Underworld.
exchange ideas or values with
others they had relationships The Mayans had a lot of Gods they
with? worshiped each of them holding an element

What was the agriculture like? of the Earth. They performed sacrificing
What food did they eat? How rituals to satisfy the Gods.

did they grow it? What The Mayans invented many glyphs and were
relationships did the people known to trade crops. They grew a wide
have with their environment?
variety of fruit and other foods to trade.They
created solar calendars, drinks, materials,
slaves, and ect.

Mayan agriculture was a large variety of
crops,fruits, and vegetables. They also
traded some of the food they grew. They

grew things like
cucumbers,watermelon,vallina, and sweet

Ancient Maya
Concept Map

Replace this example with your own concept map!

The Aztec

Where in the World…
Were the Aztec Located?

Map from ducksters.com What is the approximate latitude a
longitude of the center of the Azte
Empire?
It is about 105 degrees west longi
20 degrees latitude. North of Guat
East of of Pacific Ocean and west
Atlantic. It is in what is now centra
southern Mexico.

What might the climate be like in
location based on the latitude and
longitude?
The climate is going to be hot cau
them to wear lighter clothes and h
open houses to provide an openin
hot air to escape.
It will be humid which means thick
and you need more water. Also sin
lived in a valley it could get cold b
of the elevation. THe rainy season
between May and October.

How would this affect the way peo
in this area?
THey will have to find ways to wat
crops because of the temperature
They have to find ways to adapt c
clothes, and housing because the
withstand the different temperatur

The Aztec Government/
Social Structure

Emperor or kings
were the most
important. The
people felt they
were appointed
by the Gods.

Tuchutil. They were the
rulers of the city state.
They had power over the
people. They lived in

palaces.

Pipiltin. They were the noble class. They
were able to where golden feathers. THey
were able to be priests, army leaders, or
have a government job.

Pochteca. These merchants were valued by people. They traveled to
bring back luxury items.

Macehutilan. They were common people who were farmers,warriors,
or craftsman.

Slaves. People could sell to pay off crimes.

Aztec Sun Stone
Calendar

The Aztec’s Sun Stone calender had animals
carved and other symbols. It is a 365-day
calender describing days and rituals by season.
There are 18 months with 20 days in each. In
those days there are 5 unlucky days when
disasters are likely to happen.

Determine the Relationships

Explore the Aztec links in the Symbaloo posted in your Schoology
course as well as in the books and other resources available in class to
complete this organizer.

What was the government like? Every state had their own government. Ev
Did powerful relationships exist city-state leaders reported to the empero
people had a strong relationship because
between the people and their believed the leaders were chosen by the
leaders?
The commoners were made up of farm
How was their society set up? traders to the people. Yes, because som
What were the types of jobs
people had? Were the jobs people had to travel the world to get things fo
did purposeful for the civilization? community. Some jobs even helped th

survive.

Describe their religion. Did the The Aztecs religion was a Mesoamerican
relationship the people had with They worked lot on astronomy and per
their gods and religious leaders sacrifice for the Gods. They worshiped

follow rules? objects like the sun, moon, and Ven

What did the people invent, create, The Aztec people wrote in glyphs. They d
or trade that allowed them to advanced calendars to track what th
exchange ideas or values with
others they had relationships throughout the year. They created aque
with? bring fresh water. They traded with peo

What was the agriculture like? far away for luxury items.
What food did they eat? How
The swampy places provided growing ch
did they grow it? What so they created chinampas to grow the
relationships did the people THese floating gardens provided the rig
have with their environment? They grew maize, beans, squash, and cam
ways to eat popcorn and chocolate. The
thought the gods controlled the enviro

Ancient Aztec
Concept Map

The Inca

Where in the World…
Were the Inca Located?

What is the approximate latitude and
longitude of the center of the Inca
Empire?
West of Brazil. 20 degrees latitude
and 72 degrees longitude

What might the climate be like in this
location based on the latitude and
longitude?THe high altitude would
make it cool or cold and there was a
rainy season between march and
December

How would this affect the way people
live in this area?
People would need to dress for
cooler weather and grow food like
corn, and potatoes that are meant for
the cold weather.

Map from ducksters.com

The Inca Government/
Social Structure

Noble Classes: The Inca Empire was ruled

by the ancestors of the original Inca people. These
were the people were the first to established the city
of Cuzco. The emperor or king was usually called the Sapa

Inca. He was the most important person in the social structure
and was considered a God.

Public administrators: Public administrators:Curacas -

The Curacas were the leaders from the tribes that were conquered.
They were often left as leaders of their tribes. They still had to report to
the Inca, but if they remained loyal, they often kept their position.Tax
collectors - Each group of families, or ayllu, had a tax collector who
kept watch over them. He made sure that they paid all of their taxes. In
order to track who had paid their taxes and where the supplies were
stored, there were many record keepers in the government.

Commoners:Artisant were commoners, but were also considered a

higher social class than the farmers. They worked on crafts such
as pottery or gold jewelry for the nobles.
Farmers - At the bottom of the social class were the farmers. The
farmers were also the largest and the most important class within
the Inca Empire. Farmers worked long hard days and sent two-thirds
of their crops to the government and the priests. The Inca Empire
relied on the production of the farmers for its wealth and
success.Artisans - Artisans were commoners, but were also considered
a higher social class than the farmers. They worked on crafts such
as pottery or gold jewelry for the nobles.

The Ayllu: The basic unit of Inca society was the Ayllu. The Ayllu
was made up of a number of families that work together like one
gigantic family. Everyone in the empire was part of the Ayllu

Inca Religion,
Science, Roads,

Language

Determine the Relationships

Explore the Incan links in the Symbaloo posted in your Schoology

course as well as in the books and other resources available in class to

complete this organizer. The Inca government was called the T

a single leader called the Sapa Inca.

was called the Sapa Inca, which mea

What was the government like? person in the land and everyone respe

Did powerful relationships exist also responsible for tak

between the people and their

leaders?

How was their society set up? Curacas - The Curacas were the leaders from the tribe
What were the types of jobs They still had to report to the Inca, but if they remained
people had? Were the jobs people families, or ayllu, had a tax collector who kept watch ov
did purposeful for the civilization? track who had paid their taxes and where the supplies
government.Artisans Artisans were commoners,
Describe their religion. Did the the farmers They worked on crafts such as
relationship the people had with
their gods and religious leaders Farmers - At the bottom of the social cla
largest and the most important class within
follow rules? and sent two-thirds of their crops to the
on the production of the farmers for its w

What did the people invent, create, The Inca believed in a god called Vircocha who c
or trade that allowed them to largest religious event for the Inca’s is called the
exchange ideas or values with dress in their finest clothes giving thanks. Anothe
others they had relationships lightning and war. The priest or pope of the Inca r
with? about god. They believed in heaven and the unde
bodies so they would go to the afterlife. This was
What was the agriculture like?
What food did they eat? How The Incas invented terrace farming, freeze dried food
a unified language, woven colorful textiles, gold and
did they grow it? What famous inca panpipe.
relationships did the people
have with their environment?

Ancient Inca
Concept Map

Replace this example with your own concept map!