Ancient Civilization Notebook

A Look at the

Mississippian, Maya,

Aztec and Inca

Civilizations

Ancient Civilizations
of the WBy: estern
HemBisyp:here

Mia Zingery

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 means before Christ.
for when looking at
A.D. stands for Anno Domini which is
dates? Latin for in the year of our lord.

What does A.D. stand
for when looking at

dates?

What does B.C.E. stand B.C.E means before common Era.
for when looking at
dates?

What does C.E. stand C.E. means common Era.
for when looking at

dates?

What do c. and ca. Ca. and c. means Circa which means
stand for when looking approximate.

at dates?

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 Great Serpent mound is Pottery made by the
located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mississippian people.

The Mississippians were
successful at growing
corn and other foods.

Where in the World…
Were the Mississippian Located?

Directions: Use the shape tool to add color to the areas
where the Mississippian people lived. Use the text box
tool and arrow tool to create labels that point to the area.

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?

● Warm temperatures
because it is closer to the
equator.

Mississippian
People

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.

The Great Serpent
Mound.

An egg.

Made for religious
ceremonies and used to
burial of important people

They valued the
serpent.

They made by the
civilization using natural

resources.

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 Serpent mound is They built the
1,300ft. In length and mounds to be
ranges 1-3ft. In height pointing north so,
it is a shape of a they would always
serpent eating an egg. have a compass. It
Also it is a slight might tell them when
crescent shape. to do their activities.

Numerous mounds are I think these people Danielle Knight GO Interactive, 2015
created by the ancient
are religious because they
Native American bury their dead and that
cultures. is their choice and have
many celebrations
because they might
celebrate their dead or
celebrate their very
successful mounds. These
people also use natural
resources.

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? The Mississippian culture had chiefs
Did powerful relationships exist called Sons and they were leaders
and people believe the leaders had
between the people and their connections with the gods.
leaders?
There were 1. Suns 2. Nobles 3.
How was their society set up? Honored Men and Women 4. Lower
What were the types of jobs
people had? Were the jobs people Class.
did purposeful for the civilization? Some people made pottery which

Describe their religion. Did the can be used as bowls or cups.
relationship the people had with Everyone built their own houses. The
their gods and religious leaders greeters would greet visitors. There

follow rules? were also Fishermen and Hunters.

What did the people invent, create, The Mississippians worshiped the Suns
or trade that allowed them to
exchange ideas or values with and believed serpents had magical powers.
others they had relationships They also had rules: how to worship and
with? celebrate their gods and where they live.

What was the agriculture like? They traded corn and many other
What food did they eat? How foods and they created mounds
which they put their famous dead
did they grow it? What leaders in.
relationships did the people
have with their environment? They were successful with growing
corn, squash, and beans. Also, the
White Tailed Deer provided the most
successful meat to eat. They fish and
hunted for food to share.



The Maya

This is one of the Mayan gods.

Mayan ate corn a lot. They even had a corn
god.

The Maya had many temples.

Where in the World…
Were the Maya Located?

Directions: Use the shape tool to add color to the areas
where the Mayan people lived. Use the text box tool and
arrow tool to create labels that point to the area.

Northern Maya What is the approximate latitude
lowlands and longitude of the location you
Sloowultahnedrns Maya colored?

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

Ancient Maya
Concept Map

The Mayan Government/

Social Structure

Priests

The Maya kings
came to the Priests
for advice or future

predictions.
Everyone thought
that they could talk to

Nthoe bgoldess.

Any king, queen prince, and princess
or any other Mayan royal is
considered a noble. The nobles are
important because they rule the
Mayans cities. They did not have to
pay taxes. They don’t have to work if
they don’t want to.

Craftsmen and Merchants
The Mayan did not have a middle class

so merchants and craftsmen were either
nobles or peasants.

Peasants
Peasants worked very hard but did not

live a life of luxury.

Slaves

Slaves could be orphans, censured, or punished
people.

Mayan Religion Mural

In this picture we drew Mayan
gods, Mayans special dance,
temples, and Mayan houses. We
showed special gods whom they
worshiped. We also drew Mayan
temples that the Mayans made.

Mayan Language and
Number Systems

I wrote my name using mayan
glyphs. My name is Mia.

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 Mayans were ruled by kings and
Did powerful relationships exist priests. The leaders used peasants

between the people and their and slaves for sacrifices.
leaders? Mayan groups
1. Priesthood
How was their society set up? 2. Nobility
What were the types of jobs
people had? Were the jobs people 3. Common People
did purposeful for the civilization? 4. Slaves

Describe their religion. Did the Jobs: farmers, cloth makers, and jewel
relationship the people had with makers.
their gods and religious leaders
Maya’s had a sun god, maize god, and
follow rules? others. Sometimes people sacrificed
themselves for their gods.
What did the people invent, create,
or trade that allowed them to Mayans traded salt, cotton mantels,
exchange ideas or values with slaves, quetzal feathers, flint, chert,
others they had relationships obsidian, jade, colored shells, honey,
with? cacao, copper tools, and ornaments.
The Maya created a solar calendar.
What was the agriculture like?
What food did they eat? How They ate mostly corn, beans, squash,
potatoes, tomatoes, and a tiny grain
did they grow it? What called quinoa. The tools they used
relationships did the people were hoes, chisels, plumb bobs, and
have with their environment?
grinding tools.

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.

Where in the World…
Were the Aztec Located?

Ancient Aztec
Concept Map

The Aztec Government/
Social Structure

Government: Emperor/King/ Laws
Heuy Tlatcani
The Aztec government was Some of the laws
similar to a Monarchy and they The king is the primary ● Stealing
ruler. When an
had a primary ruler. ● Murdering
emperor died a new ● Getting Drunk
one was chosen by ● Damaging Property

nobles.

Tuchuhtli

They were wealthy and lived in big
palaces. They have complete

power over cities as long as they
their tribute to the emperor.

Pipiltin

A king was always chosen from pipiltin or nobles.
They could wear jewelry, feathers, and gold.

Slaves

The slaves were slaves because they couldn’t pay debts or committed a crime. Slaves
could pay their way out of slavery and were not mistreated.

Aztec
Calendar and Religion

The calendar stone related to Aztec religion
because Aztec believed that certain days were
“”favorable” such as planting, going to war, and
building. Ceremonies were performed in temples
on top of pyramids. To please the gods, or for
punishment they sacrificed themselves or others
in these templates.

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 government was ruled by an Emperor and
Did powerful relationships exist Kings which were called Huey Tlatoani.

between the people and their They were broken up into 3 classes called
leaders? 1.Nobles

How was their society set up? 2.Comments
What were the types of jobs 3.Slaves
people had? Were the jobs people
did purposeful for the civilization? Males were house builders, farmers, or
craftsmen. Female looked after homes and
Describe their religion. Did the children, made clothes, and care for crops.
relationship the people had with They believe that the gods ruled. The gods are
their gods and religious leaders
for rain, war, sun, corn, and many
follow rules? others.‘Huitzilopochtli’ was the patron god.

What did the people invent, create, Aztecs invented games and sports bows, arrows,
or trade that allowed them to marbles, stones, dances, music, and more things.
exchange ideas or values with
others they had relationships
with?

What was the agriculture like? They ate sweet corn, slugs, tadpoles, flies,
What food did they eat? How worms, sweet potatoes, and more.

did they grow it? What
relationships did the people
have with their environment?



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.

Where in the World…
Were the Inca Located?

The Inca lived on the west coast of South America.

Ancient Inca
Concept Map

The Inca Government/
Social Structure

1.
Emperor/King's
called Sapa Inca

2. High priest
They were believed to
speak to the gods.

3. HIgh Class
Relatives of the Sapa Inca.
4. Nobles or Inca class
They are made of people directly
descended from the people who made
Cusco. Lived in luc sherly
5. Inca by privilege
As empire grew it emperor needed more people he
could trust in the high positions in the government. So
a new class was created as the True Inca.`

Math and Writing

The Inca spoke Quechua. Quechua is mostly influenced by the Spanish. Quechua has a three vowel system that
includes the letters a, i, and u. Today, some people still speak Quechua. Inca math used Larger numbers were
based on powers of 10. String was used and knots were to represent numbers.

Religion

The Inca had a sun god and the ancestor of the ruling dynasty. Inti was believed to be the
most powerful god.

Roads and
Bridges

The Incan roads were very well built.

Science and
Technology

They used bundles of cord called quipus to keep their numerical records. The quipu was made up of a
horizontal cord with a series of strings suspended from it.

Inca facts

The Inca empire was the largest in pre-Columbian America and possibly the largest
empire in the world in the early 16th century.