Americas

//World History I—Americas Term List//

Mesoamerica-area made up of Mexico and Central America Aztec Inca
 * Maya-developed from the Olmec people. They had one ruler, usually a male. They burned down trees and forests to make farming land. They were polytheistic. They developed hieroglyphics and they wrote about dates, rules and astronomy. They maintained regular contact through trade.
 * Stela-tall, stone monuments depicting important figures
 * Valley of Mexico-plateau located in central Mexico
 * Tenochtitlan-Aztec capital
 * Teotihuacán-dominating city in the Valley of Mexico
 * Chinampas-artificial islands made of mud piled on reed mats anchored to the shallow lake bed
 * Sapa Inca-name for emperor
 * Cuzco-capital of the Inca
 * Quipu-a collection of colored strings that were knotted in different ways to represent different numbers
 * Ayllu- Incan village