Chapter 3 Social Studies Vocabulary and Notes

archaeologist – a scientist who looks for and studies artifacts

artifact – an object left behind by people who lived long ago

civilization – a culture that has developed complex systems of government, education, and religion

drought – a long period with very little rain

empire –a large area in which different groups of people are controlled by one ruler or government

irrigation – a method of supplying dry land with water through a series of ditches or pipes

slavery – the practice of owning other people and forcing them to work

specialize – to spend most of one’s time doing one kind of job

surplus – an amount greater than what is needed

tribute – forced payment, usually made in the form of valuable goods

Early Peoples of the Western Hemisphere

The Maya –Major city was Tikal. They lived in what is present-day southern Mexico and Guatemala and built great cities, created an advanced system of writing, and invented the idea of the number zero. Their cities were mysteriously abandoned after 909.

The Aztec – Major city was Tenochtitlán. Beginning about 1100 ,they moved to what is now Mexico. They planned their capital city, Tenochtitlán, to honor the sun and their gods. They sacrificed human beings to the god Huitzilopochtli. Children went to school where they learned Aztec history and religion.

The Inca – Major city was Cuzco. They lived in what is present-day Peru along the west coast of South America near the Andes Mountains. They paved roads and were expert builders.

The Mound Builders – Major city was Cahokia. They populated the Southeast United States along the Mississippi River. The first piles of earth built by the mound Builders were made to bury the dead.

The Anasazi – Major city was Pueblo Bonito. They were desert dwellers who build high-rise apartment-style villages beneath cliffs and on mesas in the area where present-day Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah meet in the Southwest United States