1. Aim: Did Pre-Columbian Civilizations Achieve a Golden Age? Do Now: What do you know about the Aztecs, Mayans, or Inca? What do you want to know?

4. I Pre-Columbian Civilizations A) Pre-Columbian civilizations flourished in the Americas prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492. The map on the left shows the location of the Aztec and Maya, while the map on the right shows that of the Inca.

5. Pre-Columbian Civilizations Continued… B) The Olmecs (1200 BCE – 200 CE) was an advanced pre-Columbian civilization in Mexico before the Aztecs! They were famous for their massive carved stone heads. Their disappearance is a mystery.

6. I Geography

7. II Government

8. III Religion

9. MayanTemple of Kukulhan, Chichen Itza

10. Aztec Temple of the Moon

11. Incan Mummies These young girls were left to die on top of the Andes mountains as sacrifices to the Incan gods. Due to the cold and dry climate, their bodies became preserved. The Inca intentionally mummified their Emperors. The Emperor mummy would be dressed and fed! Unfortunately the Spanish conquistadors destroyed most of the Emperor mummies.

12. IV Economy and Agriculture

13. Pre- Columbian Yum Yums By treating corn with lye, you can digest more of the nutrients in the corn. You can then make the flour into tortillas, arepas, tamales, hominy, and other goodies! The Mayans and Aztecs made cocoa beans into a frothy drink, with cinnamon and chili pepper. No sugar! Stomping on Incan potatoes releases the moisture. When freeze dried by the cold air, they keep a long time! Roasted guinea pig – yummy?

14. V Society and Culture

15. VI Science and Technology

16. Machu Pichu

17. Key Vocabulary • Pre-Columbian • Olmecs • Mayans • Aztecs • Inca • Yucatan Peninsula • Andes mountains • Slash and burn • Terrace farming • Chinampas • Quipu • Machu Pichu • Lake Titicaca • Chichen Itza • Cusco • Tenochtitlan • Lake Texcoco