Identify significant examples of art and architecture from Mayan, Aztec, and Incan civilizations; understand major cultural developments of civilizations in Mesoamerica and Andean South America; explain how art transcends the culture in which is created and conveys universal themes.

The great pre-colonial civilizations of Latin America produced notable achievements in art, architecture and engineering. The Maya built great limestone temples and observatories, and developed a highly stylized system of writing, as illustrated by the glyphs displayed on their monuments. The Aztecs designed cities that imitated their idea of the structure of the cosmos, exemplified in the architecture unearthed at Teotihuacán, the “City of the Gods.” The Inca constructed a magnificent network of roads and bridges as a visual symbol of power over their subjects. The peoples of all three cultures also created art from precious metals, stone, and clay. While many such pieces were destroyed or melted down by Spanish conquistadors following European colonization, the ruins that remain are a testament to the advancement of these societies.

• CA  Historical Interpretation: 3
• TX  113.33(6): b; 113.33(20): a-c; 113.33(23): c; 113.38(1): b
• FL  SS.A.2.4: 10
• NCSS  I(HS): c; III(HS): g

2 class periods

• Activity Sheet, Art and Architecture of the Maya, Aztecs, and Inca
• Graphic Organizer, 4-Column Table
• Writing Rubric

Students have the opportunity to write a Research Report (see Extension below).

How do the architectural and artistic achievements of the Maya, Aztecs, and Inca civilizations reflect their respective cultures?

Display Information Students will present a poster depicting the art and architecture of one of three ancient Latin American civilizations. To prepare, students will research examples of art and architecture produced by the Maya, Aztecs, and Incas.

Have students research these topics using the provided links. Encourage them to use the suggested graphic organizer as they read the articles.

Maya temple, located in what is presently Chichen Itza, Mexico.

To start students thinking about the architectural innovations of ancient civilizations, have them examine the photograph.

Key questions students should answer are:

• What skills must the Maya have possessed in order to build this temple
• What does the height and magnitude of this temple tell you about the religious culture of the Maya?

Distribute the Student Activity sheet. Assign one of the following topics to each student.

• Art and architecture of the Maya
• Art and architecture of the Inca
• Art and architecture of the Aztec

Tell students that their posters should include both visual and written elements depicting the distinctive features, styles, materials and uses of their civilization’s art and architecture. As students conduct research, they should use their graphic organizer to take notes on their assigned civilization.

Explain to students that they will present their posters to the class. They will complete their graphic organizers by taking notes on other students’ posters.

Use the Writing Rubric to assess students’ performance.

Have students reflect on their performance and use the list of expectations to judge how well they met the criteria.

Ask students: In what ways were the art and architecture of these three civilizations similar? In what ways were they different?

Expository Writing Have students use Daily Life through History to conduct research and write about notable examples of art or architecture in ancient China.

Critical Thinking: SYNTHESIZE