Paper Topic:

The Mayas and Incas

Compare and contrast the following early civilizations

How do you explain their similarities and differences

The Mayas and the Incas

The Mayas and the Incas are two Indian civilizations that inhabited South America and left a significant mark on the culture and history of these places . They both have legends that link their arrival to immigration from the East however it is more likely that the immigration occurred from the north . Though these two cultures had some similarities one of these was not language as they had several differences in their

native tongues . However , regardless of the differences legends have claimed a community of origin between these two civilizations , in the remote past

The Inca civilization has a reign of less than 200 years in comparison to the Maya civilization and has its base in the area that is now Peru They flourished in the highlands of the Andes and their reign is estimated as being from AD 1438 - 1534 . They also extended into the areas that are now Ecuador and Chile . There are links that show that this civilization was derived from a warlike tribe that moved into the valley at Cuzco . Their reign was estimated to span from the Maule River to the Quito

In contrast , the Maya civilization emerged in BC 1000 and lasted more than a thousand years in the Yucatan area of Mexico into Guatemala Belize and Honduras . They were responsible for the creation of many cities in their time such as Tikal and Uxual . They also had a wide span however their system of governance varied greatly and there was no emperor but rather several powerful heads in each city . There was also no capital as each city ruled itself

In terms of religious practices both civilizations practiced sacrificing of animals and at times of humans as well . They also both worshipped several Gods . The Incas believed in a creator and many sky gods . They called gold the sweat of the sun ' and viewed it as precious only in materials used for ceremonial items . They focused on rituals that they believed led to healing and increasing harvest . In a trait similar to the Mayas , in times of calamity they believed in the sacrifice of humans . These times included earthquakes and drought . The Inca also had a similar religion to the Inca . They also believed in several nature Gods and in the use of sacrifice to appease the Gods . The thought that the feeding of blood to the Gods would also appease and satisfy the Gods so that their

children would be healthy and their crops would be good . Religion was important in daily life and this is evident from the information that has been attained from pottery , the walls of buildings and murals

Inca architecture was ornate . The capital city was Cuzco and this was the richest city in the Americas at that time . The temples were decorated with gold plates . There were many royal estates and palaces that were for the nobility and...

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