Civilizations in North and South America Instruction
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Comparing the Aztec and Maya
Decide whether each statement describes the Aztecs, the Mayas, or both cultures
Had a polytheistic religion
Aztecs
Both Aztecs and Mayas
Mayas
Built pyramids
Had a unified empire
Studied astronomy
Built cities
Lived in city-states

The Aztec empire was a famous and powerful kingdom in present day Mexico that was conquered by the Spanish.

The Mayans were a civilization that were further south of the Aztecs and occupied areas in central america such as modern day Guatemala and Belize.

Practices unique to the AztecHad  Unified Empire - The Aztecs had a unified empire which was a confederation of three city states being the Mexico-Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan with the Tenochtitlan being the dominant force. Practices Unique to the MayansLived in City-States - Unlike their Aztec neighbours, the Mayans did not have a unified empire but instead lived in city states such as Copan and Tikal which had their own rulers.Practices of both CulturesBuilt pyramids  - Both the Mayans and the Aztecs built pyramids due to the influence that the ancient city of Teotihuacan had on them. Aztec pyramids usually had temples on top of them where the Aztecs would sacrifice humans in reverence to their gods. Studied astronomy  - Both Mayans and Aztecs studied astronomy with Mayan priests doing so as a way to receive messages from the gods. The Aztecs also studied the heavens for the same reasons.Had a polytheistic religion  - Both the Mayans and the Aztecs believed in multiple deities and gods such as Itzamna and Ix Chel for the Mayans and Huitzilopochtli and Tezcatlipoca for the Aztecs. Built cities - Both Mayans and Aztecs built cities that were quite organized and even drew praise from their Spanish conquerors.