Aztecs and Incas

The Aztec and Inca had ways of establishing and spreading their valued traditions. Children where taught skills by the adults, shown in The Mendoza Codex. This portrays the importance of having traditions written in a book so that it has the ability to be passed on through generations (Document 1). A glyph on the stairs of Tenayuca Pyramid shows a form of communication, art and architecture (Document 2). The Aztec market had a lot available and was very organized, shows that their culture was regulated and productive with a sense of order (Document 7). A picture shows a ruler interviewing his ware housekeeper. This could be propaganda that he is a good ruler, shows that the Incas were very organized and have traditions (Document 11).

Both Aztec and Inca had expertise in making technological advances. A civil calendar used by the Aztec determined the numerous ceremonies and rituals linking to the agricultural cycles. This shows a lot of advanced math and astronomy. They had their days-to-days planned out and thought through, thinking of the future, which portrays organization and advanced planning (Document 3). A picture showing market goods and tools shows trade and artistic culture (Document 6). The Aztec market had a lot available and was very organized shows that their culture was regulated and productive with an advanced sense of order (Document 7). Floating islands called Chinampas were rafts built for agriculture, which shows they are adaptive, and had a large population (Document 8). The Inca architecture was so advanced and well developed that their buildings are still standing in place today(Document 9). Last remaining straw extension bridge shows movement of people for trade or other purposes and that they developed ways of going beyond natural barriers (Document 10). Machu Picchu comprised of approximately two hundred buildings, which were very organized (Document 13).

Both Aztec and Inca had rich cultures before the Europeans arrived. Both cultures had established religions, both created art and buildings, and both had traditions, which were passed through generations. We could better understand the ritual of sacrifice if there were more documents detailing who was chosen for societies and why they sacrificed.