Aztec metropolis covering more than five square miles near modern Mexico City. Origianlly located on two small islands in Lake Texcoco, it gradually grew;One of two Aztec capital's, its
NAME MEANING-- Stone rising in the water
Hernan Cortez
Spanish soldier who conquered the Aztecs. Landed in Mexico in 1519 in search of treasure.
Malinche/ Dona Marina
Daughter of Mayan leader. Malinche was called Dona Marina by Cortes. She spoke several languages in addition to Mayan. She quickly became Cortes's main translator. She also kept an eye on Aztec spies.
pok-atok
Game played by ancient Mayas. They had to hit a five-pound, six inch rubber ball through a stone hoop mounted 30ft. above ground
hieroglyphics
A system of writing using signs and symbols, used by the Maya and other cultures.
maize
Both the plant and the kernal of the corn. Maize and corn were Mayan famers most important crop.
hornless deer
Aztecs had never seen horses before, so they beleived horses were hornless deer
Moctezuma's spies
Moctezuma was an Aztec ruler; he sent his spies to find out about a strange ship. The spies told Moctezuma that the spanish were coming.
Quetzalcoatle
According to the aztec legend, quetzalcoatle promised to return to rule the Aztecs. Moctezuma thought Cortes might be the god Quetzalcoatle
Inti
The sun God, worshiped by the Incas. They believed Inti was their parent. Incas refered to themselves as children of the sun.
quipu
a knotted string used by incan goverment officails and traders for record keeping
Aqueduct
A pipe or channel used to carrywater from a distant source to dry areas.
Mestizo
A person of mixed Spanish and Native American ancestry.
People of the sun
Incas (The sun God, Inti was an important God)
Pachacuti
1438, became ruler of the Incas. His name means he who shakes the earth. He conquered people who lived near the Pacific Ocean and he demanded loyalty from the people he conquered. If the people were disloyal he forced them off their land.
Mayan disappearance
About 900 A.D Mayans suddenly left their cities. Could be do to crop faliure, war disease, drought, or famine may have killed them. Or the people rebelled against the control of the priests and nobles..
Aztec Medicine
Was used to lower fevers cure stomaches, and heal wounds. Aztec doctors made more than 1,000 medicines from plants.
Incans clothing articles
Poncho's as well as other brightly woven colored complex pattern styles.
Incas spreading their news
Runners were spread along mountains roads. The 1st. runner would relay messages. Incas used this runners to spread news from one place in their empire to another. Incas carried news at a rate of 250 miles a day.
