1
The Anasazi This site explores Anasazi prehistory and architecture.
http://sipapu.gsu.edu/index.html Questions for exploration:
Examine the architecture and prehistory galleries at this site, then visit the spectacular recreation of an Anasazi khiva. After viewing the khiva, return to the Frequently Asked Questions gallery and scroll down for the answers to these questions: Why are the suggestions of cannibalism among the late Anasazi attracting so much public notice? What is the strongest evidence that at some stage the Anasazi may have practiced cannibalism? Why may have they practiced cannibalism? How do archeologists view the possibility that the later Pueblo culture is a direct outgrowth of the Anasazi culture?
2
Chichen Itza This site is devoted to the sacred city of Chichen-Itza.
http://kroeber.anthro.mankato.msus.edu/latinamerica/meso/sites/chichen_itza.htm Questions for exploration:
What were the original reasons for the popularity of the urban site at Chichen Itza? In what ways did Toltecs influence the earlier Classical Mayan civilization?
3
Aztec Architecture This is a student-generated site that examines Aztec architecture.
http://library.thinkquest.org/10098/aztec.htm Questions for exploration:
Aztec temples had a feature of construction common to many Mesoamerican cultures. Why can it be said that they were never finished? Aztec homes had two main buildings. Why were there two? Does the use of one of those buildings remind you of a common practice among North American Indians?
4
Teotihuacan This site offers a virtual tour of the ancient city of Teotihuan.
http://archaeology.la.asu.edu/teo/intro/Intrteo.htm Questions for exploration:
What was the relationship of Teotihuancan to other cities around the globe at this time? Click on the link to the Moon Plaza. What does the Moon Plaza suggest about the city's layout? What sacred natural elements have been integrated into the Temple of the Moon?
5
Women in Pre-Columbian America A student generated paper on the place of women in the Americas before the coming of Columbus.
http://w3.arizona.edu/~ws/ws200/fall97/grp8/marypaper.html Questions for exploration:
Discuss the role and profession of an Aztec midwife. How do they compare with that of a Roman midwife? Did Aztecs divorce? If so, what provisions were made for the dissolution of a marriage? What happened if the divorced couple sought to remarry? How did the Inca regard virginity and marriage?
6
Mayan Calendar This site, related to that above, offers analysis and images of the Mayan calendar and associated glyphs, or writing symbols.
http://www.op.net/~uarts/munoz/calendar.html Questions for exploration:
What was the purpose of the Mayan astronomical calendar? How accurate was it compared with modern means of reckoning time? Click on the link to origins. What was the origin of the Mayan calendar?
7
The Quipu This site is devoted to the Quipucamaya: The Keeper of the Quipuis, an Inca computer.
http://www.spanish.sbc.edu/MMLatAm/Quipus.html Questions for exploration:
What means were used to enable the quipu (pronounced: Kee Poo) to denote time, religious purpose and chiefly interests? What multiples of numbers per cord were employed and how were they counted?
8
Inca Society This site examines Incan family structure.
http://www.mvhs.srvusd.k12.ca.us/~attvc2/Inca/Society.html Questions for exploration:
In what way was Incan family structure similar to Roman family structure? How was a death in the family marked by Inca women?
9
Axum These sites explore the ancient Sudanic Kingdom of Axum.
http://www.stockton.edu/~gilmorew/consorti/1jafric.htm , http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CIVAFRCA/AXUM.HTM , http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/nubia1.html and http://www.hp.uab.edu/image_archive/um/umn.html (map and images) Questions for exploration: What accounts for the wealth of Axum? How do ancient accounts of Axum, such as the legend of Sheba, indicate that this part of Africa was fully integrated with the neighboring regions of the world?
