Americas Vocab

an empire centered in what is now modern day Peru, from 1400-1523 A.D. or (C.E.).

narrow strips of land (25x30) almost completely surrounded by canals.

a culture that shapes and influences the customs and ideas of later cultures.

area of dense jungle in Southeastern Mexico, extending into the Gulf of Mexico & Caribbean Sea

Great ruler of the Aztec empire, made lightning quick attacks took his enemies by surprise.

also known as Tenochca, named after Tenochtitlan, capital city, where they settled in 1325

"Place of the Prickly Pear Cactus", Valley of Mexico or home to the Actecs.

earliest major Mesoamerican culture, which flourished from 1200-1400 BC.

secret messages carried in the form of knots and colored string by the Incas.

Mayan game that was a mix of soccer, basketball & kickball-the use of hands wasn't allowed

armed conflict between two groups in the same country.

Mesoamerican civilization that reached its height between A.D. 250 and 900.

region that includes central/southern parts of Mexico and much of Central America.

payment made in return for protection.

roads to the mainland for the Aztecs

type of agriculture where land is prepared for planting by cutting/burning natural vegetation.

god of the Aztec, hunter-gatherers.

9th Inca ruler who came to power in AD 1438 & expanded the Incan empire.

ancient carved stone markers that call attention to important dates/events, used buy the Maya

runners who carried messages up and down the length of the Incan Empire.

type of book used by Mesoamericans to record historical events, recorded on tree bark.

having a warm rainy climate

commons, slaves, nobles and merchants

last Aztec emporer, who ruled from AD 1502-1520, was overthrown by the Spanish.

a narrow strip of land at connects two larger masses.