Mesoamerican and Andean Civilizations – Toltec, Aztec, Inca, and Early Andean Cultures (Vocabulary Flashcards)

A vocabulary-style set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Toltec, Aztec, and Inca sections, plus major Andean cultures and agricultural practices mentioned in the notes.

Toltec

Postclassic Mesoamerican culture whose capital was Tollan (Tula); known for distinctive architecture and sculpture, notably large warrior statues; militaristic society with strong warfare and ritual elements.

Tollan (Tula)

Capital site of the Toltec in central Mexico; major center for Toltec architecture and sculpture; sometimes named by the Aztec as Tollan.

Tula

Toltec capital site (alternative name for Tollan); home to monumental sculpture and architecture associated with Toltec power.

Atlantean (Atlantean) statues

Giant warrior statues produced by the Toltec, representing their martial culture and architectural style.

Feathered serpent

A major deity motif (often linked to Quetzalcoatl/Kukulkan) present across Olmec and later Mesoamerican cultures; associated with rulership and religious symbolism.

Olmec

Early mother culture of Mesoamerica; influenced later Maya, Toltec, and Aztec traditions; associated with the feathered serpent motif.

Chacmúl (Chacmúl/Chacmúl)**

Toltec-influenced sculptural or architectural element seen later in Maya (e.g., Chichen Itza) and Aztec contexts; a reclining figure with a bowl in the lap.

Tenochtitlan

Aztec capital city founded on an island in Lake Texcoco; iconic site for Aztec power and the eagle-on-shield symbol.

Mexica

The people who founded and dominated the Aztec empire; one of the groups in the Triple Alliance.

Triple Alliance

Political and military alliance among Texcoco, Tlacopan, and Mexica (Aztec) that formed the core of the Aztec Empire.

Aztec social structure

Hierarchical society: nobility and priests at the top, warrior class beneath, free artisans and commoners, and slaves or serfs at the bottom.

Aztec warfare and human sacrifice

Militaristic culture where war captives were often sacrificed; warfare and ritual were closely connected to state power and prestige.

Quechua

Language of the Inca Empire; became the official language for religious, administrative, and political matters.

Inca

South American empire (Andean region) that arose from the valley of Cusco and expanded extensively; Quechua-speaking polity.

Sapa Inca

The Inca emperor; considered semi-divine and selected from the ruling family; top of Inca political and religious authority.

Pachacuti

Inca ruler who expanded the empire and initiated its major expansion phase; a key figure in Inca imperial growth.

Cusco

Inca heartland and capital region in southern Peru; center of Inca political and administrative power.

Caral (Caral-Supe)

One of the earliest urban centers in the Americas; regarded as the oldest city in the New World; part of the initial horizon in the Andean chronology.

Kotosh

Initial horizon culture in the Andean region (preceramic era) alongside Caral; demonstrates early Andean social development.

Chinchoros

Initial horizon culture around Titicaca in the Andean region; early Andean culture with coastal populations.

Chavin

Early Andean culture in the North Highlands; central to the initial to early horizon of Andean civilizations; associated with Chavin de Huantar.

Nazca lines

Large geoglyphs in southern Peru; significant ground drawings with probable religious or ceremonial purposes.

Tiwanaku

Middle horizon Andean culture; contemporary with the Moche; known for architecture and influence across the southern Andes.

Moche

Coastal Andean culture during the middle horizon; known for complex art, architecture, and irrigation networks.

Chichen Itza

Maya site that shows Toltec influence (e.g., Chakmúl motifs) later in the Maya city-states; reflects cultural interaction across Mesoamerica.

Intensive agriculture

Labor- and input-heavy farming concentrated in a smaller area; requires substantial labor resources (e.g., slaves or workers) to maximize yield.

Extensive agriculture

Agriculture spread over a large area with lower labor input per unit area; production is scaled across many plots and lands.