Mexican Ruins: Mexican Ruins: Aztecs and Mayan Aztecs and Mayan

PeoplePeople

Por: Sra. FleenerPor: Sra. Fleener

Español II Español II

Aztec HistoryAztec History

► Mainly lived in central México, around what is Mainly lived in central México, around what is today México City. today México City.

► Well known for hunting and gatheringWell known for hunting and gathering► Started in the north and migrated to the Started in the north and migrated to the

south. south. ► Precise people but not as precise as the Precise people but not as precise as the

Mayan people. Mayan people. ► The symbol of the snake on top of the cactus The symbol of the snake on top of the cactus

on México’s flag came from this civilization. on México’s flag came from this civilization. ► http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/out-of-egypt-http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/out-of-egypt-

aztec-ruins.htmlaztec-ruins.html (Video) (Video)

Aztec CalendarAztec Calendar► Two calendars in oneTwo calendars in one► Tonalpohualli (day count) calendar = 260 daysTonalpohualli (day count) calendar = 260 days► Xiuhpohualli calendar = 365 daysXiuhpohualli calendar = 365 days

- 18 months with 20 days- 18 months with 20 days

Click here to see what each day means in English. Click here to see what each day means in English. http://http://www.ancientscripts.comwww.ancientscripts.com//aztec.htmlaztec.html

TeotihuacanTeotihuacan

►Near México CityNear México City►Means “city of the gods” in NahuatlMeans “city of the gods” in Nahuatl►PyramidsPyramids►Pyrmamid of the Moon and Pyramid of Pyrmamid of the Moon and Pyramid of

the Sunthe Sun►50 pesos to enter50 pesos to enter►Daily tours 8-6 pmDaily tours 8-6 pm

Pictures of Pictures of TeotihuacanTeotihuacan

TlatelocoTlateloco

► Sister city to TenochtilanSister city to Tenochtilan► Huge markets were well known here Huge markets were well known here ► People sold food, clothing, furniture, animal People sold food, clothing, furniture, animal

hides, etc. hides, etc. ► Major drought between 1454-57 which led to Major drought between 1454-57 which led to

a mass sacrifice of about 37 adults and 6 a mass sacrifice of about 37 adults and 6 children. children.

► Last battle ground of the Aztec and Spanish Last battle ground of the Aztec and Spanish war. war.

► 40,000 Aztec people died. 40,000 Aztec people died.

Tlateloco RuinsTlateloco Ruins

TenochitlanTenochitlan

► Near México City Near México City ► Built on top of a lake and was a major battle Built on top of a lake and was a major battle

ground during the Aztec/ Spanish war. ground during the Aztec/ Spanish war. ► Temples were dedicated to Aztec gods and Temples were dedicated to Aztec gods and

goddessesgoddesses► Over 40 buildings can be found hereOver 40 buildings can be found here► Sun Pyramid is the best known building in Sun Pyramid is the best known building in

the citythe city► Founded in 1325 and was destroyed in 1521Founded in 1325 and was destroyed in 1521

Mayan HistoryMayan History

►Loved science especially astronomyLoved science especially astronomy►Most ruins on Yucatan Peninsula and Most ruins on Yucatan Peninsula and

parts of Guatemala and Belizeparts of Guatemala and Belize►Palenque, Chichen Itza and Tulum Palenque, Chichen Itza and Tulum

most common ruinsmost common ruins►Famous for ball game called “Ulama”Famous for ball game called “Ulama”►Used nearby cenotes for executionUsed nearby cenotes for execution

Mayan CalendarMayan Calendar

► Ancient times they thought there were 360 days in a year. Ancient times they thought there were 360 days in a year. ► Had 18 days per month and there were 20 months. Had 18 days per month and there were 20 months. ► Five extra days were left and these came at the end of the Five extra days were left and these came at the end of the

calendar cycle. calendar cycle. ► These extra days were considered to be unlucky. These extra days were considered to be unlucky. ► What about 2012? – “the end of the world” according to the What about 2012? – “the end of the world” according to the

mayan “long count calendar” which marks the end of a 5100 mayan “long count calendar” which marks the end of a 5100 year era. year era.

Tulum RuinsTulum Ruins

Only Mayan ruin near waterOnly Mayan ruin near water Located about 30 miles south of Playa del Located about 30 miles south of Playa del

Carmen (Yucatan Peninsula)Carmen (Yucatan Peninsula) small citysmall city inhabited by about 600 people inhabited by about 600 people

who lived in platform dwellings along a who lived in platform dwellings along a street and who supervised the trade street and who supervised the trade traffic. traffic.

Considered to be a walled city, most of Considered to be a walled city, most of the inhabitants probably lived outside the the inhabitants probably lived outside the walls, leaving the interior for the walls, leaving the interior for the residences of governors and priests and residences of governors and priests and ceremonial structures. ceremonial structures.

Tulum Ruins Cont.Tulum Ruins Cont.

►The main god honored at Tulum is the The main god honored at Tulum is the "diving god," or ""diving god," or "Descending GodDescending God," ," seen on several buildings as an seen on several buildings as an upside-down figure above doorways. upside-down figure above doorways.

►The largest and most important The largest and most important building at Tulum is building at Tulum is El CastilloEl Castillo (The (The Castle). Located closest to the sea, it Castle). Located closest to the sea, it probably served as a landmark for probably served as a landmark for sailors. sailors.

Tulum ContinuedTulum Continued

► The The Temple of the FrescoesTemple of the Frescoes, directly in front , directly in front of the Castillo, was used as an observatory for of the Castillo, was used as an observatory for tracking the movements of the sun. It contains tracking the movements of the sun. It contains interesting 13th-century frescoes, though interesting 13th-century frescoes, though visitors are no longer permitted to enter. visitors are no longer permitted to enter.

► On the white-sand On the white-sand beach beach below El Castillo, below El Castillo, where the Maya once came to land, tourists where the Maya once came to land, tourists can swim and sunbathe. Many combine a visit can swim and sunbathe. Many combine a visit to the ruins with a swim in the Caribbean.to the ruins with a swim in the Caribbean.

► Some of the best coral reefs in the world hereSome of the best coral reefs in the world here

Palenque RuinsPalenque Ruins

►Located in the jungleLocated in the jungle►Lived here since 300 BCLived here since 300 BC►Known for potteryKnown for pottery►Water center for the mayan peopleWater center for the mayan people►35% of this ancient city has been 35% of this ancient city has been

excavatedexcavated►Temple of the inscriptions – described Temple of the inscriptions – described

King Pakal’s family treeKing Pakal’s family tree

Palenque Ruins PicturesPalenque Ruins Pictures

Chichen Itza Chichen Itza ► Largest Mayan city of the Largest Mayan city of the

Yucatan PeninsulaYucatan Peninsula► Settled by farmers in the 4th Settled by farmers in the 4th

centurycentury► Also a center of worshipAlso a center of worship► Ruler was KukulkanRuler was Kukulkan► ““New Zone” – Toltec InfluenceNew Zone” – Toltec Influence► ““Old Zone” – Puuc influenceOld Zone” – Puuc influence► http://video.nationalgeographihttp://video.nationalgeographi

c.com/video/player/specials/anc.com/video/player/specials/ancient-mysteries/chichen-itza-tecient-mysteries/chichen-itza-temples.htmlmples.html (Video) (Video)

El Castillo (Kukulcan El Castillo (Kukulcan Pyramid)Pyramid)

El Castillo (Kukulkan pyramid)El Castillo (Kukulkan pyramid) The architecture has a reference to the The architecture has a reference to the Mayan Mayan

calendarcalendar. The four stairways leading up to the . The four stairways leading up to the central platform each have 91 steps, making a total central platform each have 91 steps, making a total of 364; added to the central platform this equals the of 364; added to the central platform this equals the 365 days of the solar year. 365 days of the solar year.

On either side of each stairway are nine terraces, On either side of each stairway are nine terraces, which makes 18 on each face of the pyramid, which makes 18 on each face of the pyramid, equaling the number of months in the Maya solar equaling the number of months in the Maya solar calendar. On the facing of these terraces are 52 calendar. On the facing of these terraces are 52 panels, representing the 52-year cycle when both panels, representing the 52-year cycle when both the solar and religious calendars would become the solar and religious calendars would become realigned. realigned.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/mexico/chichen-ithttp://www.sacred-destinations.com/mexico/chichen-itzaza

Temple of the WarriorsTemple of the Warriors

The The Templo de los Guerreros (Temple Templo de los Guerreros (Temple of the Warriors)of the Warriors), named for the , named for the carvings of warriors marching along its carvings of warriors marching along its walls. It's also called the walls. It's also called the Group of the Group of the Thousand ColumnsThousand Columns for the rows of for the rows of broken pillars that are there. broken pillars that are there.

If the sun is in the right spot the shadows If the sun is in the right spot the shadows of the pillars form a straight line.of the pillars form a straight line.

A figure of Chac-Mool sits at the top of the A figure of Chac-Mool sits at the top of the temple, surrounded by impressive temple, surrounded by impressive columns carved in relief to look like columns carved in relief to look like enormous feathered serpents. enormous feathered serpents.

Chac Mool Chac Mool PicturesPictures

Ball Court at Chichen ItzaBall Court at Chichen Itza Home to at least nine ball courts, which hosted Home to at least nine ball courts, which hosted

the famous Mayan ball game. The largest one, the famous Mayan ball game. The largest one, the the Juego de Pelota (Main Ball Court)Juego de Pelota (Main Ball Court) is is northwest of El Castillo. northwest of El Castillo.

It is the largest and best-preserved ball court in It is the largest and best-preserved ball court in the Mayan world. Both walls are carved with the Mayan world. Both walls are carved with scenes showing Maya figures dressed as ball scenes showing Maya figures dressed as ball players and decked out in heavy protective players and decked out in heavy protective padding. There is also a headless player padding. There is also a headless player kneeling with blood shooting from his neck, kneeling with blood shooting from his neck, while another player holding the head looks on. while another player holding the head looks on.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/mexico/chichehttp://www.sacred-destinations.com/mexico/chichen-itzan-itza

CenotesCenotes

► Used for sacrificing and ceremonial purposes. Used for sacrificing and ceremonial purposes. ► Major source of water for the residence of Chichen Major source of water for the residence of Chichen

ItzaItza► Men, women, and children were thrown alive into Men, women, and children were thrown alive into

these cenotes as a sacrifice to the gods in times of these cenotes as a sacrifice to the gods in times of drought. drought.

► Many archeologist have found copper, gold, masks, Many archeologist have found copper, gold, masks, cups and even bonescups and even bones

► Most artifacts date back to 13Most artifacts date back to 13thth and 16 and 16thth century AD century AD

El Caracol ObservatoryEl Caracol Observatory

El Caracol (The "Snail" or Observatory)El Caracol (The "Snail" or Observatory) was was constructed over several centuries constructed over several centuries

the additions and modifications reflect the Mayas' the additions and modifications reflect the Mayas' careful observation of planet movements and careful observation of planet movements and increasingly exact measurements. increasingly exact measurements.

Through slits in the tower walls, Mayan Through slits in the tower walls, Mayan astronomers observed the cardinal directions, the astronomers observed the cardinal directions, the approach of the spring and autumn equinoxes, as approach of the spring and autumn equinoxes, as well as the summer solstice. well as the summer solstice. Primarily used to Primarily used to track the planet Venus.track the planet Venus.

The Spanish name, which means "snail," was The Spanish name, which means "snail," was inspired by a spiral staircase inside.inspired by a spiral staircase inside.

Caracol Observatory PicturesCaracol Observatory Pictures

ReferencesReferences► Google imagesGoogle images

http://http://archaeology.about.comarchaeology.about.com//odod/archaeologic7//archaeologic7/igig//ChichenChichen--ItzaItza//SacredSacred--WellWell----ChichenChichen--Itza.htmItza.htm

http://http://www.nowpublic.comwww.nowpublic.com/culture//culture/aztecaztec--pyramidpyramid--foundfound--mexicomexico--couldcould--rewriterewrite--historyhistory-0-0

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Observatory.htmObservatory.htmhttp://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CIVAMRCA/TEO.HTMhttp://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CIVAMRCA/TEO.HTMhttp://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/specials/ancient-mysteries/http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/specials/ancient-mysteries/

chichen-itza-temples.htmlchichen-itza-temples.html