Ancient Western Civilizations
Explore the ancient civilizations of the Maya, Inca, Aztec, Cahokia, and Anasazi. Includes pictures, audio clips of music, and 360-degree virtual realities.
Grades
- 4,
- 5
Links
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Mexico Site -Aztec
This page is dedicated to the Aztec people. Learn where the Aztec came from and why they selected the site of Tenochtitlan. Also includes Aztec scenes for creative writing and interactive quizzes.
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ThinkQuest: Ancient Aztecs
This ThinkQuest Web site provides information on Aztec rulers, religion, life, technology, and art. Includes information about the Spanish conquest of the 15th century.
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PBS: Inca: The Lost Empire
This site provides lots of information and pictures on the Inca people and their civilization. Specifically find information on their culture, sacrificial ceremonies, and high altitude cities.
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Journey Through Tikal: Mayan
Take a walk through the ancient city of Tikal. Included on this Web page are a number of QuickTime Virtual Reality movies that allow the user to move around and zoom in on different artifacts.
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Welcome to Maya Adventure
This site focuses on the Mayan people. Includes a photo archive and a list of fun activities to learn about these ancient people.
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Mayan Kits Interactive
Find information about the Mayan people, significant places, and their beliefs. Includes sound files for listening to Mayan music.
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Cahokia
This Web site covers the origins and history of the Cahokia people. The page also has pictures of artifacts and mound homes.
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Mesa Verde Nation: Anasazi
This page is dedicated to the Anasazi Native American people of the Southwest. Read about their history, homes, culture, and about some of the tools they used.
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The Anasazi: Prehistoric People
Learn about Anasazi art. The page contains a number of pictures of different types of Anasazi art.
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PBS: Lost King of the Maya
This site has video clips of a Maya scholar talking about their rulers, hieroglyphics, and more. There is also a map of the Maya world.
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Ancient Observatories
Explore this site to learn about Chaco Canyon and Chichen Itza. There are maps, teachers' guides with activities, and interactive virtual tours of these ancient sites where early astronomers studied the mysteries of the night sky.
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Collapse: Chaco Canyon
What causes a civilization to fall? Why did the Anasazi abandon the Pueblos of Chaco Canyon? This site investigates possible answers to these questions.
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PBS: Aztec Empire
This site has a map that shows three important cities in the Aztec Empire and gives a brief overview of Aztec culture.
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Incan Creation Myth
View this interactive animation of the Incan creation myth. There is further information about Incan culture and suggestions for class exercises. NOTE: Reading level may be too advanced for younger students.
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eThemes Resource: Ancient Civilizations: Maya
These websites are about the Mayas and their culture. There are lesson plans, maps, timelines, quizzes, and cartoons. There is information about their culture, government, religion, and more. Includes a link to an eTheme on Ancient Western Civilizations.
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eThemes Resource: Native Americans: Maya
These sites are about the regions, lifestyle, history, art, and religion of the Mayan people. Students can view Flash movies, videos, maps, and photographs.
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eThemes Resource: Native Americans: Aztec
Students can learn about the Aztec history, culture, and gods. Included are videos, maps, and photographs.
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eThemes Resource: Native Americans: Inca
Students can learn about many aspects of Incan life. Through the use of videos, maps, photographs, and virtual tours, students can explore the lifestyle, history, and religion of the Inca.
Education Standards
