Mesoamerican Civilizations Flashcards

Grade 6 · Social Studies · Flashcards

Key terms and civilizations from ancient Mesoamerica including the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec.

Flashcards

Mesoamerica

Region spanning central Mexico through Central America where major ancient civilizations developed.

Olmec

Earliest known major Mesoamerican civilization (c. 1500–400 BCE); known as the 'mother culture.'

Colossal Heads

Giant stone sculptures created by the Olmec, depicting large human faces, likely of rulers.

Maya

Mesoamerican civilization (c. 250–900 CE) known for pyramids, astronomy, calendar, and hieroglyphic writing.

Hieroglyphic Writing

A writing system using symbols and pictures; the Maya developed a complex version in Mesoamerica.

Calendar (Maya)

Highly accurate calendar system developed by the Maya based on astronomical observation.

City-States

Independent self-governing cities; Maya civilization was organized into competing city-states.

Aztec

Powerful Mesoamerican empire (c. 1300–1521 CE) based at Tenochtitlan; defeated by Spanish in 1521.

Tenochtitlan

Capital of the Aztec Empire, built on an island in Lake Texcoco; modern-day Mexico City.

Chinampas

Aztec floating garden islands built in lakes to grow crops, also called 'floating gardens.'

Tribute

Goods and labor demanded by the Aztec from conquered peoples to fund their empire.

Human Sacrifice

Religious practice of the Aztec in which people were offered to their gods, especially the sun god.

Hernán Cortés

Spanish conquistador who, with indigenous allies, defeated the Aztec Empire in 1521.

Conquistador

Spanish word for conqueror; refers to Spanish explorers and soldiers who conquered the Americas in the 1500s.

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