Mesoamerica & Andes: Maya, Aztec & Inca Civilizations

Aztec Empire 1428 AD – 1521 AD Triple Alliance of Nahua city-states ruling the Valley of Mexico until Spanish conquest. Inca Empire 1438 AD – 1533 AD Largest empire in pre-Columbian America, centered in the Andean mountain range. Maya Civilization 2000 BC – 1697 AD Mesoamerican civilization noted for logo-syllabic script, calendar mathematics, and pyramids. Maya Script Logosyllabic The Americas’ only fully developed ancient writing, cracked in the 20th century after colonial book-burnings. Olmec Civilization ~1200 – 400 BC Mesoamerica’s "mother culture", carvers of colossal stone heads and pioneers of its ritual calendar.

Astronomical Tool Artifact Instruments for celestial observation in mythologies like Mayan and Egyptian , tied to cosmology. Aymara Tradition Mythology of the Aymara people of the Andes, centered on Pachamama. Aztec Tradition Mythology of the Aztecs, centered on gods like Quetzalcoatl. Aztlan Realm / Site Aztlan Mythical ancestral homeland of the Aztecs. Celestial Order Concept The structured cosmos in mythologies like Mayan and Chinese , reflecting divine harmony. Inca Tradition Mythology of the Inca people, centered on Inti, the sun god. Mayan Tradition Mythology of the Maya, centered on gods like Kukulkan. Mythical Origins Concept Stories explaining the beginnings of cultures or places in mythologies like Roman and Mayan . Oracular Vision Concept Divinely inspired foresight in mythologies like Greek and Mayan . Popol Vuh Sacred Text The K'iche' Maya book of creation and the hero twins, the single most important mythological text of the Americas. Ritual Object Artifact Objects used in sacred ceremonies across mythologies like Celtic and Mayan , imbued with spiritual significance. Sacred Time Concept Moments of divine significance in mythologies like Celtic and Mayan , marked by rituals. Sacrifice Concept Offerings to deities in mythologies like Mayan and Greek , ensuring divine favor. Time Cycles Concept Cyclical views of time in mythologies like Indian and Mayan , emphasizing renewal. World Axis Concept A central cosmic structure in mythologies like Norse and Mayan , connecting realms. Xibalba Realm / Site Xibalba Mayan underworld, realm of death gods.

Quetzalcoatl Wikidata Q179818 Feathered serpent deity in Aztec myth, tied to creation. Quetzalcoatl Deity The feathered serpent of Mesoamerica — wind god, morning star, and the civilizer who brought maize and the calendar.

Andean Philosophy Topic Indigenous Andean worldview, reciprocity. Andean Thinkers Andean Thinkers Collective term for Andean philosophers. Aztec Philosophy Topic Indigenous philosophy of balance, cosmos. Aztec Thinkers Aztec Thinkers Collective term for Aztec philosophers. Inca Philosophy Topic Indigenous philosophy of harmony. Inca Thinkers Inca Thinkers Indigenous philosophers of Inca tradition. Mayan Philosophy Topic Indigenous philosophy of time, cosmos. Mayan Thinkers Mayan Thinkers Collective term for Mayan philosophers. Mesoamerican Era Mesoamerican Philosophy in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica (c. 1000 BCE–1500 CE). Popol Vuh Canon Maya creation narrative. Teotl Concept Aztec concept of divine energy.

Andean Regional Style Architecture with stone terraces and temples. Andean Architecture Movement Ancient South American style. Andean Craftsmen Architect Indigenous artisans of the Andes, known for precise stone masonry in Incan architecture. Andean Valley Regional Style Architecture with stone terraces and temples. Aymara Craftsmen Architect Artisans of Andes, Bolivia/Peru, traditional–present. Aztec Regional Style Architecture with stone pyramids and temples. Aztec Architecture Movement Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican style. Aztec Craftsmen Architect Indigenous artisans of the Aztec Empire, known for monumental architecture. Becán 900 CE · Mexico Maya city in Mexico (circa 600–900 CE), with moated fortifications and pyramids. Bonampak 790 CE · Mexico Maya city in Mexico (790 CE), with stone temples and murals. Calakmul 900 CE · Mexico Maya city in Mexico (circa 200 BCE–900 CE), with stone pyramids and stelae. Chavín de Huantar 900 · Peru Pre-Incan ceremonial center in Peru (circa 900–200 BCE), with stone temples and reliefs. Chicanná 900 CE · Mexico Maya city in Mexico (circa 600–900 CE), with ornate stone facades. Chichen Itza 1200 CE · Mexico Maya city in Mexico (circa 600–1200 CE), with the iconic El Castillo pyramid. Chichen Itza El Castillo Mexico. Core Characteristics Stepped Mayan stepped pyramid. Cholula Pyramid 900 CE · Cholula, Mexico Mesoamerican pyramid in Cholula, Mexico (300 BCE–900 CE), with stone and adobe. Choquequirao Peru Incan city in Peru (circa 15th century), with terraced structures in the Andes. Copan 800 CE · Honduras Maya city in Honduras (circa 400–800 CE), with stone pyramids and stelae. Coricancha 1438 CE · Cusco, Peru Incan temple in Cusco, Peru (circa 1438 CE), known for precise stone masonry. Cusco Cathedral 1654 CE · Cusco, Peru Colonial cathedral in Cusco, Peru (circa 1539–1654 CE), built on Incan foundations with Baroque elements. Cuzco Walls Cusco, Peru Incan stone walls in Cusco, Peru (13th–15th century CE), with precise masonry. Dzibanche 900 CE · Mexico Maya city in Mexico (circa 200 BCE–900 CE), with stone pyramids and palaces. Edzna 1000 CE · Mexico Maya city in Mexico (circa 400 BCE–1000 CE), with stone pyramids and plazas. El Tajín 1200 CE · Veracruz, Mexico Mesoamerican city in Veracruz, Mexico (600–1200 CE), with stone pyramids and niches. Huaca del Luna 800 CE · Peru Moche ceremonial center in Peru (circa 100–800 CE), with adobe pyramids and murals. Huaca del Sol 800 CE · Peru Moche adobe pyramid in Peru (circa 100–800 CE), a monumental religious structure. Huexotla 1500 CE · Mexico Mesoamerican site in Mexico (1200–1500 CE), with stone structures and plazas. Inca Architecture Movement Pre-Columbian architecture of the Inca Empire, 13th–16th century. Inca Builders Architect Ancient Andean masons. Inca Craftsmen Architect Artisans of Inca Empire, South America, 13th–16th century. Incan Regional Style Architecture with precise stone masonry. Incan Craftsmen Architect Indigenous artisans of the Inca Empire, known for stone masonry. Ingapirca Ecuador Incan archaeological site in Ecuador (circa 15th century CE), with stone masonry. Kohunlich 900 CE · Mexico Maya site in Mexico (circa 200–900 CE), known for its Temple of the Masks and stucco work. Machu Picchu Peru Incan city in Peru (15th century CE), with precise stone masonry. Malinalco 1501 CE · Mexico Aztec rock-cut temple in Mexico (1501 CE), with stone and stucco. Maya (Architect) Architect Ancient Maya architects (c. 300–900 CE), known for monumental ceremonial structures. Mayan Regional Style Mesoamerican architecture with stepped pyramids and temples. Mayan Architecture Movement Ancient Mesoamerican style. Mayan Craftsmen Architect Artisans of Mesoamerica, known for monumental structures. Mayan Temples Mesoamerica Religious structures in Mesoamerica, 300 BCE–900 CE. Mesoamerican Regional Style Architecture with stone pyramids and plazas. Mesoamerican Architecture Movement Architecture of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, 1500 BCE–1500 CE. Mesoamerican Craftsmen Architect Indigenous artisans of Mesoamerica, known for monumental stone structures. Mitla 1400 CE · Oaxaca, Mexico Zapotec site in Oaxaca, Mexico (circa 700–1400 CE), with stone and geometric mosaics. Moche Pyramids 800 CE · Peru Adobe pyramids in Peru (circa 100–800 CE), including Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna. Monte Albán 750 CE · Oaxaca, Mexico Zapotec city in Oaxaca, Mexico (circa 500 BCE–750 CE), with pyramids and plazas. Moray Terraces Peru Incan agricultural terraces in Peru (circa 15th century CE), with concentric circular designs. Nazca Lines 500 BCE · Peru Geoglyphs in Peru (circa 500 BCE–500 CE), created by the Nazca culture with large-scale desert designs. Ollantaytambo Peru Incan fortress and town in Peru (circa 15th century CE), with stone terraces. Pachacamac 1450 CE · Peru Pre-Incan religious site in Peru (circa 200–1450 CE), with adobe pyramids and temples. Palenque 800 CE · Mexico Maya city in Mexico (circa 600–800 CE), with stone palaces and temples. Palenque Palace Chiapas, Mexico Mayan palace in Chiapas, Mexico. Pisac Ruins Peru Incan site in Peru (15th century CE), with stone terraces and temples. Pumapunku 1000 CE · Bolivia Pre-Incan complex in Bolivia (600–1000 CE), with precision-cut stone. Quechua Regional Style Architecture with stone and adobe structures. Quechua Craftsmen Architect Traditional builders of the Quechua people, Andes. Quechua Villages Andes Traditional settlements in Andes, Peru/Bolivia, pre-colonial. Raqchi Peru Incan temple complex in Peru (circa 15th century), with the Temple of Wiracocha and circular storehouses. Rumicucho Ecuador Incan fortress in Ecuador (circa 15th century CE), with stone walls and terraces. Sacsayhuamán Cusco, Peru Ancient Inca fortress in Cusco, Peru. Sacsayhuaman Fortress Cusco, Peru Incan fortress in Cusco, Peru (circa 15th century), with massive stone walls. Saqsayhuaman 1438 CE · Cusco, Peru Incan fortress in Cusco, Peru (circa 1438 CE), with cyclopean stone walls. South American Highland Regional Style Architecture with stone terraces and Inca structures. Tambo Colorado Peru Incan administrative center in Peru (circa 15th century CE), with adobe walls. Tecpan 900 CE · Guatemala Maya administrative center in Guatemala (circa 400–900 CE), with stone structures. Templo Mayor 1521 CE · Mexico City Aztec temple pyramid in Mexico City (circa 1325–1521 CE), central to religious ceremonies. Tenayuca Mexico Aztec pyramid in Mexico (circa 13th century CE), with stone and stucco construction. Tenochtitlan 1521 CE · Mexico Aztec capital in Mexico (1325–1521 CE), with stone pyramids and canals. Teotihuacan 550 CE · Mexico Mesoamerican city in Mexico (circa 100 BCE–550 CE), with pyramids and urban grid. Teotihuacan Architects Architect Ancient Mesoamerican builders. Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Moon 450 CE · Mexico Mesoamerican pyramid in Mexico (circa 100–450 CE), part of Teotihuacan’s urban complex. Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Sun 200 CE · Mexico Mesoamerican pyramid in Mexico (200 CE), with stone and adobe. Tiahuanaco 1000 CE · Bolivia Pre-Incan city in Bolivia (200–1000 CE), with stone gateways and monolithic statues. Tikal 900 CE · Guatemala Maya city in Guatemala (circa 200–900 CE), with towering pyramids and palaces. Tikal Temple I Tikal, Guatemala Mayan ceremonial pyramid. Tiwanaku 900 CE · Bolivia Pre-Incan city in Bolivia (circa 400–900 CE), with stone gateways and monoliths. Tlatelolco 1521 CE · Mexico Aztec city in Mexico (1337–1521 CE), with stone pyramids and plazas. Tulum 1450 CE · Mexico Maya coastal city in Mexico (circa 1200–1450 CE), with stone temples and frescoes. Universidad de los Andes Institution Modern Colombian campus. Uxmal 1000 CE · Mexico Maya city in Mexico (circa 700–1000 CE), known for its Puuc-style architecture and intricate stonework. Vilcashuamán Peru Incan administrative center in Peru (circa 15th century CE), with stone temples and plazas. Xochicalco 900 CE · Mexico Mesoamerican city in Mexico (700–900 CE), with stone pyramids and observatories. Xpujil 900 CE · Mexico Maya city in Mexico (circa 400–900 CE), with Rio Bec-style towers. Yaxchilan 800 CE · Mexico Maya city in Mexico (400–800 CE), with stone lintels and temples.