The First Americans
The Mayas and The Aztecs
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The Maya originated in Yucatán in Mexico. They developed astronomy, calendar systems and writing. They built elaborate pyramids and observatories, all without metal tools. They were highly skilled as potters and weavers.
Learn About Mayan People
They chewed "gum" , pierced their bodies and raised bees without stingers.
Mayan Folktales
An assortment of traditional tales translated into English.
The Maya Calendar
The Maya developed a sophisticated calendar. The ritual calendar that developed in Mesoamerica used a count of 260 days. This calendar gave each day a name, much like our days of the week. There were 20 day names, each represented by a unique symbol. The days were numbered from 1 to 13. Since there are 20 day names, after the count of thirteen was reached, the next day was numbered 1 again. The 260-day or sacred count calendar was in use throughout Mesoamerica for centuries, probably before the beginning of writing
The Maya originated in Yucatán in Mexico. They developed astronomy, calendar systems and writing. They built elaborate pyramids and observatories, all without metal tools. They were highly skilled as potters and weavers.
Learn About Mayan People
They chewed "gum" , pierced their bodies and raised bees without stingers.
Mayan Folktales
An assortment of traditional tales translated into English.
The Maya Calendar
The Maya developed a sophisticated calendar. The ritual calendar that developed in Mesoamerica used a count of 260 days. This calendar gave each day a name, much like our days of the week. There were 20 day names, each represented by a unique symbol. The days were numbered from 1 to 13. Since there are 20 day names, after the count of thirteen was reached, the next day was numbered 1 again. The 260-day or sacred count calendar was in use throughout Mesoamerica for centuries, probably before the beginning of writing
The Aztecs
The Aztecs
of Mexico
The Aztecs/Mexicas were the native American people who dominated northern México at the time of the Spanish conquest led by Hernan CORTES.
The Aztecs/Mexicas were the native American people who dominated northern México at the time of the Spanish conquest led by Hernan CORTES.
The History of Aztecs
Their name is derived from a mythical homeland to the north called Azatlán, but they also called themselves the Mexica. The term, Aztec, describes the culture that dominated the Valley of Mexico in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
Their name is derived from a mythical homeland to the north called Azatlán, but they also called themselves the Mexica. The term, Aztec, describes the culture that dominated the Valley of Mexico in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
The Aztec Ruins National Monument, situated near the town of
Aztec, N. Mex., contains an interesting cluster of prehistoric ruins.
The Creation of Chocolate
The Aztecs have been credited with the discovery of chocolate. The Aztecs made chocolate from the fruit of the cacao tree.
The Creation of Chocolate
The Aztecs have been credited with the discovery of chocolate. The Aztecs made chocolate from the fruit of the cacao tree.
This page was last updated on
11/13/2004