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Questions and Answers
Questions and Answers
What primary function did causeways serve in the Aztec city of Tenochtitln?
What primary function did causeways serve in the Aztec city of Tenochtitln?
- Connecting the island city to the mainland for transport and trade (correct)
- Directing floodwaters away from agricultural areas
- Providing elevated platforms for religious ceremonies
- Serving as defensive walls against invading armies
The Aztec calendar system consisted of one 365-day solar calendar used primarily for agricultural tracking.
The Aztec calendar system consisted of one 365-day solar calendar used primarily for agricultural tracking.
False (B)
Besides sustenance, what critical role did human sacrifices play in Aztec society, according to their beliefs?
Besides sustenance, what critical role did human sacrifices play in Aztec society, according to their beliefs?
Nourishing the gods/ maintaining cosmic order
Aztec farmers cultivated crops on ______, which were artificial islands built in shallow lakebeds.
Aztec farmers cultivated crops on ______, which were artificial islands built in shallow lakebeds.
Match the following descriptions to the correct elements of Aztec society:
Match the following descriptions to the correct elements of Aztec society:
Which material was highly valued by Aztec artisans for its sharpness and use in weapons and ritual objects?
Which material was highly valued by Aztec artisans for its sharpness and use in weapons and ritual objects?
Aztec society had almost no social mobility; people were locked into the social class they were born into.
Aztec society had almost no social mobility; people were locked into the social class they were born into.
What were the bark paper or deerskin books called, that the Aztecs used to record their history, laws and religious practices?
What were the bark paper or deerskin books called, that the Aztecs used to record their history, laws and religious practices?
The Aztec 260-day religious calendar was called the ______.
The Aztec 260-day religious calendar was called the ______.
What was the primary strategic advantage of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitln's location?
What was the primary strategic advantage of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitln's location?
Questions and Answers
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Flashcards
Flashcards
What are Chinampas?
What are Chinampas?
Artificial islands built in shallow lake beds for year-round crop cultivation.
What are Causeways?
What are Causeways?
Raised roads connecting the island city to the mainland.
What are Aztec Aqueducts?
What are Aztec Aqueducts?
System to supply fresh water from springs.
What is Tonalpohualli?
What is Tonalpohualli?
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What is Xiuhpohualli?
What is Xiuhpohualli?
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What are glyphs?
What are glyphs?
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What is Obsidian?
What is Obsidian?
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What is Tenochtitlan?
What is Tenochtitlan?
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What are Chinampas?
What are Chinampas?
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What is the Glyph Writing System?
What is the Glyph Writing System?
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Flashcards
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Study Notes
Study Notes
- Major achievements of the Aztecs – agriculture, engineering, time-keeping, record keeping and craftsmanship
Agriculture: Chinampas and Crops
- Developed chinampas (floating gardens), which are artificial islands
- Chinampas facilitated year-round crop cultivation
- Wooden stakes secured the chinampas
- Soil enriched with organic matter from the lakebed
- Cultivated maize (corn), beans, squash, tomatoes, chili peppers, and amaranth
- Implemented irrigation techniques and crop rotation
- Diet supplemented by fishing, hunting for fish, waterfowl, and insects
Engineering: Urban Planning, Causeways, and Aqueducts
- Capital city of Tenochtitlán designed with urban planning
- City built on an island in Lake Texcoco with grid-like canals and streets
- Artificial islands created for markets, temples, and palaces
- Organized city layout had designated religious, administrative, and residential districts
- Causeways (raised roads) connected the island to the mainland, which allowed transportation and trade
- Causeways equipped with removable bridges provided a defensive advantage
- Aqueducts supplied fresh water from nearby springs
- Drainage systems helped manage excess water and prevent flooding
Time-Keeping: The Aztec Calendar
- Advanced understanding of time was reflected in a two-calendar system
- The tonalpohualli: 260-day religious calendar for ceremonies and divination
- Divided into 20 periods of 13 days, each governed by a deity for planting crops, and waging war
- The xiuhpohualli: 365-day solar calendar tracked the agricultural cycle and seasons
- Divided into 18 months of 20 days each, adding 5 extra unlucky days
- Calendars helped organize religious events, agriculture, and political activities
- Tracked celestial movements which demonstrated astronomy and mathematics knowledge refining time understanding
Record Keeping: Glyph Writing System
- Used glyphs (symbols/pictures) representing words/ideas to record history, laws, religious practices, and tribute payments on codices (bark paper/deerskin books)
- Priests and scribes maintained and interpreted records
- Documented conquests, lineage, economic transactions, and myths, preserving their culture
Craftsmanship: Items Made and the Use of Obsidian
- Artisans created pottery, jewelry, featherwork, and textiles with religious/mythological themes and cotton/maguey fiber
- Used obsidian (volcanic glass sharper than metal) for weapons like knives/swords (macuahuitl) causing injuries and tools
- Gold, turquoise, and jade used in craftsmanship reflected artistic techniques and symbolism Crafted sculptures and stone carvings honoring Gods, creating temple decorations/statues
- Constructed by layering mud, vegetation, and lake sediment on a wooden frame in the shallow lake regions of the Aztec Empire.
Chinampas
- Resolved challenge of arable land scarcity by creating fertile areas
- Facilitated the cultivation of a variety of crops, including maize, beans, and squash
- Enabled high agricultural productivity, sustaining a burgeoning population
- Significantly contributed to the economic prosperity and food security of the empire
Glyph Writing System
- Definition: Aztecs used a complex system of symbols or glyphs for communication and record-keeping, representing sounds, ideas, and objects
- Documented historical events, religious practices, and social hierarchy
- Facilitated communication among the Aztec people across different regions
- Preserved the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Aztecs for future generations
- Played a crucial role in governance, administration, and the passing down of knowledge
Calendar
- Definition: Aztecs developed a sophisticated calendar system comprising of the Tonalpohualli (260-day ritual calendar) and the Xiuhpohualli (365-day agricultural calendar)
- Guided agricultural activities based on seasonal changes and celestial events
- Scheduled religious festivals, ceremonies, and auspicious times for various activities
- Facilitated efficient time management for agricultural planning, contributing to food abundance
- Demonstrated advanced knowledge of astronomy, mathematics, and the cyclical nature of time
Aqueduct
- Definition: Aztec engineered an intricate system of canals and aqueducts to supply fresh water from nearby springs and mountains to the island city of Tenochtitlan
- Ensured a sustainable and reliable water supply for the city's growing population
- Improved hygiene, sanitation, and provided water for agriculture
- Contributed significantly to the growth, stability, and prosperity of Tenochtitlan
- Showcased the engineering prowess of the Aztecs in managing water resources
Chocolate
- Definition: Chocolate, derived from the cacao bean, was consumed as a frothy beverage by the Aztecs and held cultural and ceremonial significance
- Symbolized wealth and prestige, often consumed by elites
- Utilized in various religious rituals and ceremonies
- Cultivated a rich cultural significance for chocolate as a luxury item
- Highlighted the economic and social importance of cacao cultivation in Aztec society
Obsidian Blade
- Definition: Obsidian blades, crafted from volcanic glass, were versatile cutting tools used in various aspects of Aztec life
- Essential in sacrificial ceremonies, symbolizing divine offerings
- Utilized for hunting, as well as everyday taskssuch as cutting & shaping materials
- Demonstrated the Aztecs' advanced craftsmanship and resource utilization
- Played a crucial role in both religious practices and daily survival, showcasing the significance of tools in Aztec culture
Settlement in Mexico
- Aztecs established a settlement in the Valley of Mexico from the 14th-16th century and were known for capital city, Tenochtitlan
- Utilized agricultural techniques, including chinampas (artificial islands), to support the population
- Location on an island in Lake Texcoco provided defensive advantages and water-based resources
- Tenochtitlan featured monumental pyramids, bustling marketplaces, and intricate canal systems
Political and Social Structure:
- Rulers and Nobility Roles: Highest echelon of society, held political power, and managed the affairs of the empire
- Responsibilities: Political administration, decision-making, and oversight of tribute collection
- Success determined by hereditary factors and personal achievements
- Commoners (Macehualtin) Roles: Majority of the population including farmers, artisans, and fishers
- Engaged in agricultural activities, craftsmanship, fishing, and contribution through tribute payments
- Organized into calpulli, communal units responsible for land distribution and tribute collection and social mobility
- Merchants (Pochteca) Roles: Traders engaged in long-distance commerce who, facilitated trade, brought valuable goods to the capital, contributing to economic prosperity
- Formed specialized guilds and were important for maintaining economic ties with neighboring regions and undertook perilous journeys to acquire exotic goods
- Soldiers (Cuauhpilli) Roles: Military class responsible for defense and expansion
- Military service, defense of the empire, and participation in ritual warfare and were highly esteemed
- Military played a key role in territorial expansion and order
- Women Roles: Engaged in various activities including domestic duties, agriculture, trade, and religious practices
- Household management, agricultural work, and participation in economic and religious activities
- Women held positions as priestesses, traders, or artisans
Economic Activities
- People of the lower class were farmers
- Cultivation of crops using advanced techniques like chinampas contributed to the empire's food supply
- Maize, beans, and squash were essential for sustenance/trade and chinampas allowed for intensive farming in the lake region
- Trade and Commerce Roles: Merchants and, to some extent, women in local markets
- Conducted trade, brought valuable goods, and contributed to economic growth
- Trade networks reached throughout Mesoamerica and they exchanged goods like obsidian, feathers, textiles + luxury item
- Craftsmanship Roles: Artisans including both men and women
- Crafting goods were pottery, textiles, and jewelry and it contributed to the artistic/economic aspects
- Artisans specialized in various crafts, producing both utilitarian and luxury items
- Fishing and Aquaculture Roles: Fishers, both men and women
- Engaged with fishing and aquaculture providing a protein source
- Fishing was significant in regions w/ access to lakes and rivers and Aztecs practiced aquaculture, growing fish in artificial ponds
Religion
- Polytheism Beliefs: Worshiped gods/goddesses associated with life, practices, elaborate rituals, ceremonies, and festivals honoring deities
- Relationship between the natural world and the divine, with gods influencing everyday life/cosmic order
- Human Sacrifice Practices: controversial; believed to nourish the gods/maintain cosmic order and during ceremonies + major religious events
- Temples and Sacred Spaces Structures: Grand temples dedicated to specific deities used for conducting religious ceremonies and rituals
- Temples including the Templo Mayor was a pyramid dedicated to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc. Temples were adorned with intricate sculptures and carvings
- Specialists held influence by, conducting ceremonies, interpreting omens, and maintaining sacred fires,
- The high priest played a role in interpreting divine will and the society's well-being
- Calendars and Rituals: Tonapohualli and Xiuhpohualli guided religious/agricultural activities. Rituals: Scheduled ceremonies/events
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