Vocabulary List: Early MesoAmerican Civilizations
Overview
Grade Level: 6th grade
Topic: Early MesoAmerican Civilizations
Number of Words: 25
Vocabulary Words
Civilization
Definition: A complex human society characterized by the development of cities, social classes, and organized government.
Example: The Maya civilization is known for its impressive architecture and advances in mathematics.
Mesoamerica
Definition: A historical region in the Americas, extending from central Mexico to Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.
Example: Mesoamerica is famous for its early cultures such as the Olmecs and Maya.
Olmec
Definition: An early Mesoamerican civilization known for its colossal stone heads and is often considered the first major civilization in Mexico.
Example: The Olmec civilization is noted for its large stone sculptures of heads that date back to 1200 BCE.
Maya
Definition: A Mesoamerican civilization known for its hieroglyphic script, architecture, calendar, and astronomical system.
Example: The Maya developed an advanced understanding of astronomy, which they used to create accurate calendars.Pronunciation: ˈt͡ʃolək
Aztec
Definition: A Mesoamerican culture that thrived in central Mexico from the 14th to the 16th centuries, known for its cities, temples, and military prowess.
Example: The Aztec Empire was known for its vast trading networks and impressive temples.
Pyramid
Definition: A monumental structure with a square or triangular base and sloping sides that converge to a point, often used as a tomb.
Example: The Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan is one of the largest pyramids in the world.
Hieroglyphics
Definition: A writing system used by ancient Egyptians and Mesoamericans that employs pictorial symbols to convey sounds and meanings.
Example: The Maya used hieroglyphics to record their history and religious beliefs.
Cacao
Definition: The plant from which chocolate is made, used as currency and in beverages in ancient Mesoamerican cultures.
Example: Cacao beans were so valuable that they were used as currency by the Maya.
Chichen Itza
Definition: A major archaeological site in Mexico, known for its pyramid, El Castillo, and its significance in the Maya civilization.
Example: Chichen Itza was a vital center for trade and religion for the Maya people.
Teotihuacan
Definition: An ancient Mesoamerican city near modern Mexico City, known for its large pyramids and urban layout.
Example: Teotihuacan was once one of the largest cities in the world, with a population of over 100,000.
Quetzalcoatl
Definition: A feathered serpent “god” worshipped by many Mesoamerican cultures, including the Aztecs and Toltecs.
Example: Quetzalcoatl is often depicted as a wise god associated with wind and learning.
Ball game
Definition: A traditional Mesoamerican sport played with a rubber ball, often with ritual significance.
Example: The Maya played a ball game that was sometimes associated with human sacrifice.
Sacrifice
Definition: Offering something valuable to a deity/god, often seen in religious practices of Mesoamerican cultures.
Example: Human sacrifice was a ritual practice in Aztec culture to appease their gods.
Chinampas
Definition: Floating gardens used in ancient Mesoamerica to grow crops on water, particularly by the Aztecs.
Example: Chinampas allowed the Aztecs to farm efficiently in the swampy lakes of central Mexico.
Tribute
Definition: Wealth or resources collected from conquered peoples, often paid to an empire such as the Aztecs.
Example: The Aztecs collected tribute from surrounding city-states to support their empire.
Society
Definition: An organized group of individuals bound together by shared culture, customs, and institutions.
Example: Mesoamerican societies were complex, with structured hierarchies and social roles.
Pronunciation: səˈsaɪ.ə.ti
Artifact
Definition: An object made by a human being, typically an item of cultural or historical interest.
Example: Archaeologists uncovered various artifacts that provide insight into Maya life and culture.
Architecture
Definition: The art and science of designing and constructing buildings.
Example: Mesoamerican architecture is characterized by large temples and pyramids made of stone.
Culture
Definition: The ideas, customs, social behavior / way of life of a particular people or society.
Example: The culture of the Maya included rich traditions in art, science, and spirituality.
Economy
Definition: The system of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services in a society.
Example: Mesoamerican economies were based on agriculture, trade, and tribute systems.
Nomadic
Definition: Relating to a lifestyle characterized by moving from place to place rather than settling permanently in one area.
Example: Some Mesoamerican groups were nomadic, while others established permanent settlements.
Religion
Definition: A system of beliefs and practices regarding the sacred and spiritual.
Example: Religion played a crucial role in Mesoamerican civilizations, influencing their laws and daily life.
Temple
Definition: A structure for worship, often dedicated to gods in Mesoamerican cultures.
Example: The Temple of the Inscriptions is famous for its hieroglyphic writings and significance in Mayan culture.