Posted: September 2nd, 2022

The Mayans, The Aztecs, and the Incas Civilizations

The Mayans, The Aztecs, and the Incas Civilizations
The Mayans, The Aztecs, and the Incas were three great peoples who flourished in Central and South America between 1800 and 5000 years ago. Although they spoke different languages, they also shared various common cultural elements. For instance, they all practised farming. They also believed and worshipped many Gods, had organized social systems, raised armies, and all practised human sacrifice.
The Mayans
The Mayan civilization is said to have commenced early in 2000 BC and existed for approximately 3000 years until the arrival of the Spanish emperors in 1519 AD. The Mayans were organized in very strong, culturally similar, but independent cities and states. Caracol, Tikal, Uxmal, and Mirador are some of the oldest and popular cities that originated from the Mayan civilization. The Mayans located Central America in regions that today cover the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, Guatemala, Northern Peninsula and Belize.
Using the limestone of the Yucatan peninsula, the Mayans established numerous buildings, structures and artifacts. Some of these findings included pyramids, monuments, pottery fragments, and temples. The fertile volcanic soils in the region also allowed them to practice farming. They also excelled in various subjects like mathematics, astronomy and literature, which was boosted by their ability to develop written language.
The Aztecs
The Aztec civilization dominated Central Mexico in the period beginning the 14000s until the arrival of the Spanish in 1519. The Aztecs dwelled more on religion, building numerous pyramids and temples where they could conduct their human sacrifice and other rituals to their Gods. The vast high elevation basin of Sierra Madre mountains in Mexica provided a mild climate that made them flourish in crop farming. In 1325, the Aztecs settled on an island in Lake Texcoco where they established the city of Tenochtitlan, which they made their capital. They called themselves the Mexica and built a huge temple complex with pyramids.
The Incas
The Incan civilization lived in the Valley of Cuzco in the Andes Mountains of Central Peru from the early 1400s to 1532. The Incas may not have had the tools and resources, but they were very skilful in building roads, created different stone architecture, made jewellery, pottery and also engaged in trade. Just like the Mayans and the Aztec, the Incas empire suffered the effects of the Spanish attack and diseases like chickenpox. By 1533 when Spaniard Francisco Pizarro arrived, the empire was already severely weakened and was finally taken down 1572 when their emperor was murdered.

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Tags: The Mayans, The Aztecs