CONTENT STATEMENT
- Early Indian civilizations (Maya, Inca, Aztec, Mississippian) existed in the Western Hemisphere prior to the arrival of Europeans. These civilizations had developed unique governments, social structures, religions, technologies, and agricultural practices.
CONTENT ELABORATION
In fourth grade, students learned about prehistoric and historic American Indians (e.g., mound builders).
At this level, students will study the basic characteristics of governments, cultures, technologies, agricultural practices, and products of four early civilizations in the Americas:
- Inca;
- Maya;
- Aztec; and
- Mississippian.
Students should understand that complex civilizations, with commonalities and differences, existed in the Americas prior to European arrival, and be able to compare the characteristics of the civilizations.
For example, these are some of the characteristics of Mayan civilization:
- government – cities were religious and government centers; priests and nobles served as leaders and lived in large palaces;
- social structures – people participated in outdoor games;
- religion – festivals honored Mayan gods;
- technology – Mayans developed a number system and a calendar; and
- agriculture – farmers used a slash and burn method; and maize was the most common crop.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Compare characteristics of early Indian civilizations (governments, social structures, religions, technologies, and agricultural practices and products).