ASSIGNMENT NO.

Directions: Research about the following civilization.

Maya:
Location – southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize.
Cloth – huipil, cotton sleeveless, and loincloth.
Agricultural Practices
Religion – polytheistic religion
Arts and Music – Maya art history, Architecture, Stone sculpture, Wood carving, Stucco
modeling, Mural painting, Writing and bookmaking, Ceramics and ‘ceramic codex’
- Trumpets, flutes, whistles, and drums
Dance – monkey dance, torro dance, moors dance, and the devil’s dance
Language – Tsotsil, Mam, K’iche’ or any of the various languages in the Mayan language family.
Social Structure – King or High Priest, Council (Priesthood), often made up of Royal family,
Nobles, and the Merchants & Artisans.
Legacy/Contributions – pyramids, temples, palaces, and observatories, science of astronomy,
calendar systems, and hieroglyphic writing.

Aztec:
Location: Central Mexico, particularly around the Valley of Mexico.
Cloth: Known for their intricate and colorful textile work, often made from cotton and agave
fibers.
Agricultural Practices: Utilized chinampas (floating gardens), terraced farming, and irrigation
systems for agriculture.
Religion: Polytheistic, with a pantheon of gods and goddesses, including Huitzilopochtli and
Quetzalcoatl. Human sacrifice was practiced in religious ceremonies.
Arts and Music: Known for their elaborate stone carvings, pottery, and featherwork. Music was
an essential part of religious ceremonies and daily life, featuring drums, flutes, and rattles.
Dance: Ritualistic dances were performed as part of religious ceremonies and celebrations.
Language: Spoke Nahuatl, which is still spoken by some indigenous communities in Mexico
today.
Social Structure: Hierarchical society with an emperor at the top, followed by nobles, priests,
warriors, commoners, and slaves.
Legacy/Contributions: Contributions include advancements in agriculture, architecture,
astronomy, and a rich cultural heritage that influences Mexico to this day.

Inca:

Location: The Andes Mountains of South America, primarily in present-day Peru.

Cloth: Known for their finely woven textiles made from alpaca and llama wool, often featuring
intricate patterns and designs.
Agricultural Practices: Mastered terraced farming, creating agricultural terraces on steep
hillsides. They also developed advanced irrigation systems, such as canals and aqueducts.
Religion: Polytheistic, with gods like Inti (the sun god) and Viracocha (the creator god).
Worshiped nature and believed in ancestor worship.
Arts and Music: Skilled in metalworking, pottery, and sculpture. Music was an integral part of
religious ceremonies and festivities, featuring instruments like panpipes and drums.
Dance: Ritualistic dances were performed to honor gods, commemorate historical events, and
celebrate harvests.
Language: Spoke Quechua, which is still spoken by indigenous communities in the Andean
region.
Social Structure: Highly centralized government with an emperor (Sapa Inca) at the top,
followed by nobles, priests, commoners, and slaves. Society was organized into ayllus, or
extended family units.
Legacy/Contributions: Contributions include an extensive road network (Qhapaq Ñan),
innovative agricultural techniques, impressive architecture (such as Machu Picchu), and a
legacy of oral history and storytelling