Reid's Interactive Notebook

A Look at the

Mississippian, Maya,

Aztec and Inca

Civilizations

Ancient Civilizations
of the WBy: estern
HemBisyp:here

REID

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 B.C. stands for “Before Christ”. This is
for when looking at because the christians used the birth
of Jesus as a starting point. They said
dates?
that he was born in 4-6 B.C
What does A.D. stand
for when looking at A.D stands for Anno Domini.
Which is latin for in the year of
dates?
the lord.

What does B.C.E. stand B.C.E stands for Before Common Era.
for when looking at Which is the same as B.C on the
dates? dates. Or the Vulgar Era. Vulgar

What does C.E. stand means common or not different from
for when looking at other things.

dates? C.E stands for Common Era. Which is
the same as A.D. on the dates.

What do c. and ca. C. and C.A stand for the latin word
stand for when looking “Circa”. This word means about, or

at dates? approximately. So it isn’t exact.

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 Mississippian culture was full of many
things, from big mounds, all the way down to tiny
little artifacts, discovered many years later by our
present people. There are three things that I
thought were quite important to their culture.

The Mississippians were mound builders. They
made several of the mounds that you could see at
parks and different things like that. The mound that
they built were made to bury dead people and
sometimes, they’d even put soem of the certain
pupils own artifacts and things that person loved or
admired in with it.

One of the greatest mound these people made
was called the Great Serpent Mound. The
Mississippians were believed to be the ones who
built this magnificent mound. Nobody knows
exactly why the Mississippians built this, maybe to
know what season it was, or, just a regular mound
that people were buried in. There is also a lot of
different observations for what it is that is going into
it’s mouth. Personally, I think that it is an egg. This
serpent was also known by the Mississippians to
have supernatural powers.

The final thing that I think stood out to me was
the Mississippians love for their chiefdoms.

These chiefdoms were also known by their
culture to have supernatural powers. Meaning that
the chiefdom would. These chiefdoms were also
known by their culture to have supernatural
powers. Meaning that the chiefdom would be able
to make sure that the sun rose and set at a good
time every day, also to make sure that their
harvesting season cam in time. The
Mississippians would rather be ranked higher or
known better by their chiefdom than having
military power or wealth. This shows how much
the Mississippians loved and respected their
chiefdoms.

To sum it all up, the Mississippians were
known for their mound building and beliefs for the
serpents, and for their love, respect and beliefs for
their chiefdoms.

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?
32 degrees North and 83 degrees West
What might the climate be like in this location based on the latitude and longitude?
It’d be about mid temperature (Summer~70-80, Winter~10-40) because it’s about halfway in
between the equator and the North part of the world
How would this affect the way people live in this area?
They would have to prepare for each season because it’d change depending (Warm clothing
Winter/ Thin clothing Summer) They’d have to also stock up during Winter on food so that they
can eat.

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!

This is the Serpent What is
Mound this?

We think taht this circle is an egg What is the
that it is trying to eat. circle on the
left side of the
We think the serpent mound was
used as a burial sight .They buried drawing?
the dead with belongings the liked
because the belive in after death. Why do you
think it was
made? What was
it used for?

The mississippieans believed in Why do you
mythical creatures such as all of the think they
serpents. The Great Serpent stands chose this

for a mallovant creature. shape?

I think they built the seprent mound How do you
out of dirt being moved into this think they
made this?
sertan shape and then grass grew
over it.

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?

The mound was believed to have It was shaped like a serpent because the
supernatural and to act as a Native Americans believed it to have
clock/compass. It is believed that special powers. The Rattlesnake was a
it was built by the Fort Ancient modo for the Mississippians, so the Fort
people. Ancient people might have gotten it
from this.

The Fort Ancient people Because the Fort Ancient Danielle Knight GO Interactive, 2015
were believed to have ople believed that serpents
had supernatural powers,
built the Serpent
Mound. they could have symbolized
the mound off of that belief.

Who is believed to have created What relationship generalization
it? can you make between the
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? Chiefdoms were a special social
Did powerful relationships exist organizations that is split between
elites and commoners. Elites are
between the people and their made up of relatively small group of
leaders?
children, but had a higher social
How was their society set up? standing than the commoners.
What were the types of jobs
people had? Were the jobs people The mississippians usually grow food
did purposeful for the civilization? in small gardens with stone axes

Describe their religion. Did the digging sticks and fire. They usually
relationship the people had with spend most of the time outdoors and
their gods and religious leaders their homes are just used for when

follow rules? there’s dangerous weather.
Rectangular or circular pole
What did the people invent, create, structures, the poles were set in
or trade that allowed them to individual holes or in continuous
exchange ideas or values with trenches. Walls were made by
others they had relationships weaving saplings and cane around
with? the poles, and the outer surface of
the walls was sometimes covered
What was the agriculture like? with sun baked clay or daub. Roofs
What food did they eat? How were covered with thatch with a
small hole left in the middle to allow
did they grow it? What
relationships did the people smoke to escape
have with their environment?
The Mississippians had religious
beliefs over top of being wealthy and

military power. They believed that
the chiefdom and their families were

First of all the term “indian” is a mistake. When Christropher Columbus
first landed where the indians lived he just called them that. He was wrong
about where he was, and still, the “indains” stuck. There are still lots of
other names you could call them. Such as the Indigenous People of
America, Amerindians, Original Americans, Native Americans, and First
Nations. The Native americans originally came from Asia and used a land
bridge called the “Bering Straight” that crossed from Russia to Alaska.
There are a few of the tribes that were Nomadic, or would depend on
animals for food. All of the people were put into groups called the Inca,
Maya, and the Aztec. These people made large cities and lived in them.
They were based off of their culture and religions. The place we now call
the United States was home to tribes such as KwaKwaka´wakw and the
Chinookan, and the Navajo, and the Pueblo, and the Sioux, and the
Mississippian,

The Maya

I put these 3 pictures on slide 13 because I felt as
if these things kind of sum the whole Mayan Civ
up. The three pictures are the Mayan calender, a
piece of corn, and a wall of ancient glyphs.

I chose the picture of the wall of ancient
glyphs because drawing and carving pictures or
glyphs was the Mayan way to communicate in
writing form. Most people haven’t found out
about the Mayan glyphs. People these days have
studied and figured them out, allowing US to
learn about it.

The second picture is of the Mayan calendar.
The Mayans were the first one to make a
calendar of this kind. It was the only way they
told time by something like a calendar

The third and final picture is of corn. I chose
this picture becuase it was their favorite kind of
food. It was SO popular, that they even thought
that they were corn! HAHA. I thought that this
might be a very important part of their culture.

These three parts of the Mayan culture will
sum up their agriculture, social, and time
structures.

These three parts are the base of what
we know as some of the earliest peoples.
So obviously what you learned will be
very important later in history and was
important to the mayans.

Where in the World…
Were the Maya Located?

Map from ducksters.com What is the approximate latitude and
longitude of the center of the Maya
Empire?
90 degrees West
15 degrees North
North west of the tip of MEHIHO
What might the climate be like in this
location based on the latitude and
longitude?
The climate would be very hot and
would not get as cold in the winter
because it is only 15 degrees North
of the equator.
How would this affect the way people
live in this area?
The people in this area would have to
wear thin clothing in order not to get
too hot in the summer. Then, they’d
have to have decently thick clothing
for the winter.

The Mayan Government/
Social Structure

Kings: The Mayan people believed that
there king had the power to rule like a

god, and a god like a powerful king

Nobles: Nobles are the 2nd strongest
power. They can serve as a judge. But
so can the Kings which are the
strongest power. The mayan Nobles
were also called Ble Ble BLe

Priests: Priest were also powerful parts of the
government kings were also known as a priest

Military: The Military leaders were called quiche, if the chief died they
would retreat and not battle in the following day. Men also had to serve

as warriors when the King commanded them.

Commoners: Commoners were not allowed to wear clothing because of the Nobles. They also
were not allowed to talk to the King directly.

Overview of Mayan government:

Mayan Religion Mural

We chose to draw the 4 Gods of the Mayan
religion. We chose this because we thought that it
is a very important part of their religion. Each of us
used the description of the God we chose and
drew an image of the characteristics of the God.

Mayan Language and
Number Systems

Insert the picture of your artifact
here. Create a text box below to
explain what your codex or stelae
means.

This is my name, I couldn’t find an R
or a D?

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, or Empire,
Did powerful relationships exist was not as usually governments are
today. They didn’t really have a main
between the people and their
leaders? part of their Empire. This kind of
Empire was known to have many
How was their society set up? different cities or states, and each
What were the types of jobs different city/states had their own
people had? Were the jobs people noble or leader. All of them still had
did purposeful for the civilization? the same language and believed in
the same GODS. All of these cities
Describe their religion. Did the were pretty much similar in every
relationship the people had with way! Although they were often at
their gods and religious leaders war with each other. They didn’t
have a lot of time to themselves
follow rules?
because of this.
What did the people invent, create,
or trade that allowed them to The Mayans had a caste
exchange ideas or values with system.The upper caste was
others they had relationships composed of rulers, nobles and
with? priests. The middle caste were
businessmen, merchants and
What was the agriculture like? soldiers. The lower caste was
What food did they eat? How made up of farmers and slaves.
(see more about social standings
did they grow it? What
relationships did the people in slide 15)
have with their environment?
The Mayan religion had gods and
priests. The maya worshiped the

Ancient Maya
Concept Map

Replace this example with your own concept map!

The Aztec

At the end of this unit,
you will insert at least
three images on this page
that you feel represent
the Aztec people. Delete
this text box when this is
complete.

At the end of this unit, you will write a
well-developed paragraph in this space explaining
what you learned about the Aztec people. You
might want to include who the Aztec people were,
what they valued, how their society was set up, the
relationship generalizations you uncovered while
learning about the people, etc. *Note: Your pictures
on page 4 should relate to this paragraph!

Where in the World…
Were the Aztec Located?

Map from ducksters.com What is the approximate latitude and
longitude of the center of the Aztec
Empire?
20 degrees north
121 degrees west
Just south of the USA
East of the pacific and West of the
Atlantic ocean

What might the climate be like in this
location based on the latitude and
longitude?
It might be a little bit warmer than it is
in Ohio because it is a tiny bit closer
to the equator. They are in MEHIHO

How would this affect the way people
live in this area?
It might be just a little bit warmer so
we know that they will have good soil
to grow on and will need proper
clothing

The Aztec Government/
Social Structure

Emperor/KinG:The

Aztec Emperor did not
interfere with the ruling of the

city-states. When an
emperor died, the new
emperor was chosen by a
group of high ranking nobles.

Tecuhtli: They were the rulers of the

other city-states. These peeps were very
wealthy. They only had power if they paid

their tribute.

Pipiltin: The noble class are the only people who wear

types of clothes and jewelry such as feathers and gold.
They had some power over the military. The king was

always chosen by the pipi. NO MATTER WHAT!!!

Pochteca: They were treated very well by the government because the
Aztec thought that their job was one of the most important. They
traveled far to bring back luxurious goods.

Macehualtin: They were the common people in the Aztec Empire. They were farmers,
craftsmen, and warriors. Over time, this position became more and more highly ranked.
Slaves: They children of slaves weren’t actually slaves. Sometimes, the people were in debt

or have committed a crime, they would sell themselves into being slaves on purpose.

Aztec Sun Stone
Calendar

I colored this mural brown and green on
the outside to represent how much
farming was appretiated in the Aztecs. I
made the Gods stand out in blue
becuase the religion was also an
important part.

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? The Aztec government was a very
Did powerful relationships exist unique system in their time. The paid

between the people and their lots of tribute to their Empire after
leaders? they’d conquer other cities. Infact,

How was their society set up? whenever they would conquer
What were the types of jobs another city, they’d build over top of
people had? Were the jobs people it with new roads. This enabled them
did purposeful for the civilization? to trade goods easier. The cities they

Describe their religion. Did the conquered also had to pay tribute
relationship the people had with from MONEY. So the Empire became
their gods and religious leaders
very rich and powerful.
follow rules?
In the Aztec culture, education was
What did the people invent, create, free for all because it was very
or trade that allowed them to
exchange ideas or values with important to the Aztecs. They were
others they had relationships different schools for boys and girls as
with?
they were taught different
What was the agriculture like? curriculum. Girls were to care for
What food did they eat? How
earning the trades required for
did they grow it? What having a family as well as cooking and
relationships did the people
have with their environment? cleaning. Boys were taught how to
fight as well as military history,
myths, religions and war songs.

The Ancient aztecs practiced religion in

different ways, one of their personal favorites

was human sacrifice, but they usually did it on

prisoners or volunteers. They also burned

incense of made clay figurines during their

Ancient Aztec
Concept Map

Replace this example with your own concept map!



The Inca

At the end of this unit,
you will insert at least
three images on this page
that you feel represent
the Incan people. Delete
this text box when this is
complete.

At the end of this unit, you will write a
well-developed paragraph in this space explaining
what you learned about the Incan people. You
might want to include who the Incan people were,
what they valued, how their society was set up, the
relationship generalizations you uncovered while
learning about the people, etc. *Note: Your pictures
on page 4 should relate to this paragraph!

Where in the World…
Were the Inca Located?

What is the approximate latitude and
longitude of the center of the Inca
Empire?
74 degrees west
16 degrees south
West part of South ameheha
What might the climate be like in this
location based on the latitude and
longitude?
The Summer is very hot, winters
would be very cold. There could by
rainforests in this area. These people
would need warm and thin clothing.
How would this affect the way people
live in this area?
These people want to wear thinner
clothing than during the winter for
summer. You would have to do the
opposite for WINTER, OK?

Map from ducksters.com

The Inca Government/
Social Structure

Noble classes:
The emperor or king was called the
Sapa Inca. He was at the top of the Inca
social class and was considered a god
in many ways. Also included in the

Noble Class is the priest, Royal
family(heirs to the throne and queen),
people who first established the city of

Cuzco, and finally people called
Inca-by-privilege, these people were not

the original Inca to rule, but the
government needed more people in the
government so they created this class.

Public Administrators:
These people ran the government in the low level.

Curacas were the leaders of the tribes that Inca
conquered. These people would be moved if not
loyal.They were also very important tax collectors.

Commoners

Usually were farmers. They grew crops for the tribe and they also grew it for trading with
other tribes. Also the commoners which can also be called Curcas. They were the leader for

the tribe.

Ayllu

The basic unit of Inca society was the ayllu. The ayllu was a number of families that worked together almost like one large
family. Everyone in the empire was part of an ayllu.

Inca Religion,
Science, Roads,

Language

Replace this slide with the
template you chose or created.

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.

What was the government like? The government has 3 preached
Did powerful relationships exist laws. Do not steal, Do not lie, and Do

between the people and their not be lazy. The government has 4
leaders? parts. Noble classes, Public

How was their society set up? Administrators, commoners, and
What were the types of jobs Ayllu. That are all very important.
people had? Were the jobs people There were laws such as to honor the
did purposeful for the civilization?
sun god which’s name is Inti.
Describe their religion. Did the
relationship the people had with Usually the kids or children of the
their gods and religious leaders tribe would go to school, or have
education. There were two separate
follow rules? schools for Boys and Girls. The boys
would learn how to fight also war
What did the people invent, create, history and songs, the girls learned
or trade that allowed them to how to trade, cook, and craft. For
exchange ideas or values with there future.
others they had relationships
with? The Inca people believed in gods and
believed they lived in three realms,
What was the agriculture like? hana pacha the celestial realm, Uku
What food did they eat? How pacha the inner earth, and cay pacha
the outer world where the humans
did they grow it? What
relationships did the people live.
have with their environment?
The Incas made bridges on mountain

Ancient Inca
Concept Map

Replace this example with your own concept map!