Native American Civilizations Mayan, Incan, & Aztec Civilizations.
Aztec and Mayan Technological Innovations
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Transcript of Aztec and Mayan Technological Innovations
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Aztec and Mayan Aztec and Mayan Technological Technological InnovationsInnovations
Megan Beaver Megan Beaver
History 27 History 27
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ChinampasChinampasChinampas were often called floating gardens Chinampas were often called floating gardens
these artificial gardens were used to grow these artificial gardens were used to grow
crops in the lakes surrounding the ancient crops in the lakes surrounding the ancient
city of Tenochtitlan. The average Chinampas city of Tenochtitlan. The average Chinampas
were about 20 feet wide and 300 feet long. were about 20 feet wide and 300 feet long.
Posts were driven into the lakebed to make the Posts were driven into the lakebed to make the
foundation the rest of the construction consisted foundation the rest of the construction consisted
of weaving sticks and reeds and using mud from of weaving sticks and reeds and using mud from
the bottom of a canal which was a very reliablethe bottom of a canal which was a very reliable
fertilizer. Without this agricultural innovation fertilizer. Without this agricultural innovation
the Aztecs would have had to grow their crops the Aztecs would have had to grow their crops
elsewhere and transport them which could be elsewhere and transport them which could be
problematic. Chinampas were a simple solution problematic. Chinampas were a simple solution
that allowed the Aztecs to thrive. that allowed the Aztecs to thrive.
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Mayan Calendar Mayan Calendar The Calendar Round based on two overlappingThe Calendar Round based on two overlapping
annual cycles: a 260-day sacred year and aannual cycles: a 260-day sacred year and a
365-day secular year. Each day was given365-day secular year. Each day was given
identifying a day number and day name in identifying a day number and day name in the the
sacred calendar and a day number and month sacred calendar and a day number and month
name in the secular calendar. Every 52 yearsname in the secular calendar. Every 52 years
counted as a single interval, or Calendar counted as a single interval, or Calendar Round.Round.
After each interval, the calendar would resetAfter each interval, the calendar would reset
itself like a clock. Sounds a little confusing, itself like a clock. Sounds a little confusing,
which is what led to the creation of the Longwhich is what led to the creation of the Long
Count system identified each day by counting Count system identified each day by counting
forward from a fixed date in the distant forward from a fixed date in the distant past.The past.The
Long Count was somewhat similar to Long Count was somewhat similar to
the Calendar Round did having intervals yet the Calendar Round did having intervals yet
there was a difference which was the Grand there was a difference which was the Grand
Cycle which was much longer about 5,139 Cycle which was much longer about 5,139
solar years in total. solar years in total.
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Aztec DikesAztec Dikes
The Aztecs were concerned with not only preventing flooding but with keeping their water supply The Aztecs were concerned with not only preventing flooding but with keeping their water supply
protected, this meant preventing the fresh water from lake Texcoco from becoming mixed with the protected, this meant preventing the fresh water from lake Texcoco from becoming mixed with the
Salt Water. Moctezuma I hired Nezahualcoyotl a respected engineer to build the dike. The dike Salt Water. Moctezuma I hired Nezahualcoyotl a respected engineer to build the dike. The dike
spanned ten miles in total the walls were made of wickerwork constructed from sticks, reeds , stones spanned ten miles in total the walls were made of wickerwork constructed from sticks, reeds , stones
and the earth and was twelve feet high and twenty seven feet high. The dike also had doorsand the earth and was twelve feet high and twenty seven feet high. The dike also had doors
to control the flow of the water and was the largest man made earthwork in the Americas. to control the flow of the water and was the largest man made earthwork in the Americas.
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Causeways Causeways Causeways were ancient highways with no Causeways were ancient highways with no
horses or mules to aid in transportation. If an horses or mules to aid in transportation. If an
ancient Mayan or Aztec needed to travel he orancient Mayan or Aztec needed to travel he or
she had to walk. Causeways were roads that she had to walk. Causeways were roads that
were raised above the land or water. The were raised above the land or water. The
Mayans built causeways in the Jungle and theMayans built causeways in the Jungle and the
Aztecs built causeways in the water to Aztecs built causeways in the water to connect connect
Tenochititlan to the mainland. This innovation Tenochititlan to the mainland. This innovation
was quite simple but it enabled people to get was quite simple but it enabled people to get
from one place to another with a direct route from one place to another with a direct route
and a clear path. The Mayans main use of the and a clear path. The Mayans main use of the
pathway was to connect the city, parts of the pathway was to connect the city, parts of the
ancient city were now connected and it made ancient city were now connected and it made
accessing these parts of the city in an accessing these parts of the city in an otherwise otherwise
dense jungle much easier. dense jungle much easier.
Sources: Engineering An Empire: The Maya Sources: Engineering An Empire: The Maya
Engineering An Empire: The Aztecs Engineering An Empire: The Aztecs