Mesoamerican and Andean Civilizations: A Comparative Study
Mother Cultures in Mesoamerica
Contributed to the cultural development of Mayan and Aztec civilizations
Teotihuacan
They bet on urban planning and construction of large ceremonial centers.
Zapotec
They designed a solar calendar and a writing system based on figures – the city was better known as Monte Alban.
Toltecs
Contributed gods and sacrificial rites, and the ball game.
Olmec
They developed a calendar and an accounting system. Their heads were famous giant sculptures.
Cultures in the Andean Mother Region
These cultures provided the cultural development of the Inca empire.
Chavin
Committed to working in gold and silver. It was notable for its textile jobs.
Nazca
Characterized by the formation of huge figures or geoglyphs covering large areas or hillsides. Developed a ceramic with geometric figures.
Moche
Distinguished by its huge pyramids dedicated to the Sun and the Moon – so did the culture of Tiahuanaco.
Chimu
Highlighted by the work of metals like gold, silver, and copper.
American Civilizations
- Mesoamerica: Mayan and Aztec
- Andean area: Inca empire
Comparison of American Civilizations
Authorities and Capital
Mayas
They were organized as city-states, not forming an empire. Every city was independent among themselves. Their ceremonial centers and urban centers included a few major cities: Palenque, Tikal, Chichen Itza, and Uxmal.
Aztec
Consisted of a confederation of peoples. Their capital was Tenochtitlan. The government was commissioned by the emperor or Vei Tlatoani.
Inca
Led by an emperor named Inca. Their own capital was the city of Cuzco. The Inca empire was called Tahuantinsuyo.
Aztec and Incas
They shared a basic unit of social organization in which people lived together on lands and recognized descendants of a common ancestor.
Basic Unit of Social Organization
- Aztec: Calpulli
- Inca: Ayllu
Maya Economy
The main economic activity was agriculture, and its main crop was corn. Only the culture system is different. The Maya participated in Roza logging, burning the forest and cutting the vegetation to later use the ashes as fertilizer.
Comparison of Agricultural Civilizations
Maya, Aztec, and Incas: They had agriculture as their main economic activity, and their main crop was corn.
Cultivation Techniques
- Mayas: Practiced cutting and slashing, clearing by cutting and burning the forest.
- Aztec: Used Chinampas, a species of islands on the lake.
- Incas: Developed farming terraces on the hillsides.
Religion
Maya Gods
- Hun-Ku: Creator of the universe, supreme god.
- Kukulkan: Calendar creator.
Aztec Gods
- Quetzalcoatl: Feathered serpent.
Comparison of Pre-Columbian Civilizations
Aztec
- Quetzalcoatl: (Feathered serpent), god creator of men and corn.
- Huitzilopochtli: God of war – exacted human sacrifices.
Incas
- For the Incas, their main god was Inti (Sun).
- Other gods were the Pachamama (Earth) and Mamacocha (Sea).
Maya and Aztec
Developed a vigesimal numerical system. This system allowed them to create fairly exact calendars.
Aztec Calendar
The Aztec calendar was double: one solar (18 months, 20 days) and another ritual (20 months, 13 days). Combining the two calendars could determine the fate of people.
The Aztecs also wrote codices with figures and numbers.
Maya
Developed a system of writing based on figures. Also created the number 0.
Incas
Developed a decimal numerical system. Their calendar was based on the lunar year (12 months, 30 days). The Incas did not develop writing, but they did convey information through quipu.