Inca, Maya, and Aztec Civilizations: History & Culture

The Inca Civilization

The origin of the Incas is estimated to have been in the late 12th century when a small tribe settled in the valley of Cuzco. They founded their capital there and later became a vast and powerful empire that kept their traditions, myths, and legends, like other peoples on this continent.

Their economic activities were:

• Agriculture
• Trade
• Metalworking
• Hunting
• Fishing

The Maya Civilization

When the Maya flourished, theirs was an empire that covered all of Mesoamerica. They lived in the jungles of Peten, Guatemala, part of Yucatan, western Honduras, and El Salvador. The Maya flourished between the years 300-900 AD, a time known as the Classic Period. But suddenly, at their peak, they collapsed and disappeared. Two hundred years later, they resurfaced at Chichen Itza but were weaker, in what is known as the Postclassic Period. The priest class was the dominant caste. They were successful in the sciences and the arts and skilled in the art of weaving using cotton and agave fiber. With the plumage of the many birds that existed in their territory, they created superb fabrics.

Gold metallurgy was very advanced, and copper metallurgy was well-known. Their architecture is the most perfect of the New World, with decorations in relief, paintings, and drafts. Their pottery was shaped like animals or humans and was engraved or painted. Their writing scripts are more developed than those of other American civilizations.

The Aztec Civilization

The Aztecs were a people who, through military alliances with other groups and populations, expanded rapidly and dominated central and southern Mexico between the 14th and 16th centuries. Although at first, after their arrival, they faced other peoples already settled in the area. After the death of Moctezuma II in 1520, the weakness of this great empire was revealed. This weakness derived from their rapid expansion beyond their control of that vast territory, internal divisions and tensions between provinces, and the independence ambitions of certain countries. These factors allowed the Spanish, led by Hernan Cortes, to conquer this great empire, culminating in 1521.

The economic activities of this civilization were agriculture and trade.