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Olmec

Early civilization south of Gulf of Mexico known for large stone heads/jaguars , calendars, hieroglyphics

Mayans

Civilization in Yucatan Peninsula with achievements in math, calendar, chichen, Itza Tikal, the codexs

Aztecs

Empire in Mexico City with a god-king, sun god worship, and capital at Tenochtitlan

Incas

Empire in Southern Peru known for Machu Picchu, surgery, and respect for enemies

Beringia

Land bridge connecting Asia to North America

Maize

Corn; important food crop for the Americas

Zapotec

Civilization influenced by Olmecs, known as America’s first city builders

Tikal

Capital city of the Mayans

Popol Vuh

Mayan religious book describing the creation of the world

Tenochtitlan

Capital city of the Aztecs

Quetzalcoatl

Serpent feathered god worshiped by Toltecs and Aztecs

Triple Alliance

Alliance between Aztecs, Texcoco, and Tlacopan ruling over the Valley of Mexico

Montezuma II

Aztec emperor who believed Spanish were returning gods

Pachacuti

Incan empire founder who treated enemies with respect

Ayllu

Incan extended family group

Mita

Incan labor tribute system

Quipu

Incan knotted string used to record numbers

Human sacrifice

Practice of sacrificing prisoners to gods for heart and blood

Olmecs

1000-100 BCE

Mayans

100-1000

Aztecs

1200-1500

Inacs

1400-1500