1
Aztec Culture This site examines Aztec society and culture.
http://lsa.colorado.edu/~depaula/webguide/aztec3.htm
Questions for exploration.
What were some aspects of Aztec culture? What was a capulli? Why was there no conflict between Aztec church and state? In what sense was the Aztec Empire totalitarian?
2
Aztec Science The Aztecs were quite brilliant scientists whose skills went well past that of calendar making.
http://library.thinkquest.org/16325/y-sci.html
Questions for exploration.
Discuss the Aztec achievement in astronomy and medical science. In what ways were the Aztecs well ahead of Europeans in these disciplines? How was the Aztec approach to illness, while just as linked to traditional religious beliefs as their less advanced European contemporaries, nonetheless prove much more practical, efficient and effective? How did the different approach followed by Europeans inhibit the advancement of their medical sciences?
3
The Maya Collapse This site explores why many major elements of Civilization of the Maya collapsed prior to the European conquest.
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/collapse/mayans.html
Question for exploration.
How can an investigation of the Maya center at Copan suggest a solution to the problem of the Maya collapse?
4
The Inca Empire These sites explore the Inca Empire.
http://www.sscf.ucsb.edu/~ogburn/inca/inca.htm , http://lsa.colorado.edu/~depaula/webguide/inca7.htm and http://lsa.colorado.edu/~depaula/webguide/great42.htm
Questions for exploration.
How did the Inca overcome the many ecological zones and the rugged terrain contained within them that presented such great challenges to those who tried to control large territories in this geographically diverse region of the world? What were some of the achievements of the Inca during their relatively short imperial sway?
5
Inca Roads These sites describe the transportation system that sustained the Empire of the Inca.
http://www.le.ac.uk/archaeology/rug/AR210/IncaProject/IncaRoads.html and http://lsa.colorado.edu/~depaula/webguide/inca9.htm
Questions for exploration.
It is said that “All Roads Lead to Rome,” a phase employed to express the essence of he Roman Empire, as well identifying its backbone. How were the roads of the Inca just as symbolic of Incan power and just as important to their empire?
6
The Fall of the Inca These three sites offer a glimpse into the causes of the collapse of the Empire of the Inca.
http://www.hssc.ucsb.edu/~ogburn/inca/conquest.htm , http://lsa.colorado.edu/~depaula/webguide/inca5.htm and http://www.anthro.mankato.msus.edu/prehistory/latinamerica/topics/spanish_conquest.html
Questions for exploration.
Why was the coming of Pizzaro the lesser of the Inca’s worries?
7
Inca Architecture and Engineering This site explores the engineering and architecture of the Inca.
http://www.public.usit.net/rfinch/incaarch.html
Questions for exploration.
The architecture of the Inca remains a wonder, even to modern engineers. What were some of the essential characteristics of Inca architecture and building techniques?
8
Inca Ceremonial Terraces These sites offer insight into the agricultural engineering of the Inca.
http://www.incas.org/93.html , http://lsa.colorado.edu/~depaula/webguide/inca10.htm , http://www.public.usit.net/rfinch/incaarch.html http://www.tactproject.com/countries/perubol/pages/photo/peru86.html
Questions for exploration.
How were Inca agricultural terraces constructed and used? How many were needed to sustain large populations? Why were these terraces vital for maintaining the empire?
9
Aztec Trade, Economy and Merchants This site explores the lives of Aztec merchants.
http://library.thinkquest.org/16325/y-eco.html
Questions for exploration.
What obstacles did Aztecs face in buying, selling and transporting their goods and how did the Aztecs overcome them? What was the status of merchants in Aztec society? How was their status similar or different from the status of merchants in Europe and China? How did merchants organize themselves? How was their self-governance and social organization similar or different from patterns of merchant life in China and Europe?
10
Aztec Calendar-making These sites investigate the origins and nature of Aztec calendar-making.
http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/mysfifthsun.html and http://www.humanities.ccny.cuny.edu/history/reader/azteccalendar.htm
Questions for exploration.
From whom is it surmised that Aztecs gathered their initial calendar-making skills? How did each of the four previous eras prior to the coming of Cortez come to an end? Did Aztecs fear an end coming that might be similar to the other eras? What were they trying to do to forestall it?
