900 A.D. – 1,520 A.D.

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•Mayans (1,500 B.C. – 1,546 A.D.)•Toltec (900 A.D. – 1,200 A.D.)•Aztecs (1,200 A.D. – 1,521 A.D.)• Incas (1,200 A.D. – 1,535 A.D.)

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•Complex civilization in Guatemala•Chief Ruler•Considered half man, half god•Ruled 1 city

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• Professions•Peasant Farmers – Majority of Mayans•Craftsmen – Made luxuries for nobles•Nobles – Performed sacred ceremonies•Astronomers – Measured movement of solar system

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• Often participated in wars• Practiced human sacrifice• Achievements•Builders – Huge cities w/ large palaces, temples, & pyramids•Writing – Hieroglyphics•Math & Science – Numbering system, 365 day calendar•Artistry – Decorated buildings with murals

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•Decline•Crisis in 9th Century – Unknown•Migrated to Yucatan & rebuilt•War from 13th – 16th Century ended civilization

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•Religion•Polytheistic•Worshipped gods of nature•Used mosaics to depict Cosmic gods

• Their culture influenced later civilizations

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• Economy based on tribute system•Food•Metals•Clothing•Ornaments•Ceramics• Traded turquoise

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• Led by a king• Eventually developed feudalism•Grew empire through war•Warriors were important members of society•Greatly influenced later civilizations (Aztecs)

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• Religion•Worshipped cosmic gods•Mosaics big part of art•Art used to express religious ideas

• Trade•Large trade network•Textiles•Metals•Ceramics

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• Agriculture•Used terracing & irrigation

• Society•Nobles•Commoners•Rank determined by birth•Aztec Emperor was highest ranking official•Feudalism

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•War•Variety of reasons•Male’s identity defined by success in war•Provided means to climb social ladder

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•Religion similar to Egyptians•Mosaics most popular art form•Developed writing system & calendars•Quipu – Counting system

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•140,000 Miles of road•Economy – Tribute system•Government•10 houses made a clan (ayllu)•Conka Camayoc – Leader of ayllu•Single people lived with a family

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•War•Used to grow empire•Skilled warriors considered very important

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•What were the characteristics of the Postclassical Mesoamerican civilizations? How did these civilizations influence later people?

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