10 Ancient Civilizations
Most known for a highly developed writing system, architecture, mathematics, calendar, and astronomical system. Made an Advance water system, Complex Artwork, Built graceful Pyramids. Based on the gulf coast of what is now Mexico, Group of independent city-states, which shared cultural qualities. Old as 2500-1500 AD, Abandoned at 900 AD.
Most Known for oldest civilization and earthen platform mounds. Peaceful Society, no Warfare has been found. Located along the coast of Central Peru. Confused for low Hills, Hidden in Plain sight. Population of 3000, 20 Separate Villages, Domesticated Cotton, Domesticated beans, potatoes, chili and squash. Old as 3000-2500 BC, Abandoned near 1800 BC. Cause? Maybe a Drought.
Most Known for being the most powerful and richest pre-Columbian empire in the Americas. It's also famous for its architectural marvels, like Sacsayhuaman and, of course, Machu Picchu. But perhaps most importantly, we remember the Incas because they were the inspiration for The Emperor's New Groove. The Inca civilization was so big, they were located in Peru, south-central: Bolivia, southwest Ecuador, and large portion of what is now Chile, and north of the Maule River. Old as 1250-1532 AD, Abandoned at 1532 AD.
Most Known for architecture, sculpture, roads, and empire management. Tiwanaku would exert a significant influence in later civilizations. Controlled much of southern Andes and coastline of South America. 30,000 and 70,000 residents, small agriculturally-based villages, periods between AD 300 and AD 1000, during which Tiwanaku grew significantly in power, their village grew too. Old as 550-950 AD, Abandoned at 950 AD.
Most Known for "Baby Face" head monuments, Invented Meso-america ball game. Flourished on the gulf coast of Mexico. Had kings, helped Olmec's rise to a strong centralized monarchy, Developed earliest writings in America, Domesticated Beans, Domesticated cacao tree (for chocolate). Old as 1200-400 BC, Abandoned at 400 BC.
Most known for their archaeological sites, "Disembedded Capital", Astronomical Observatory Building J, Los Dazantes. Located in valley of Oaxaca in central Mexico, Capital: Monte Alban. Old as 500 BC-750 AD, Abandoned at 900 CE.
Most Known for cultures stretching as long as the Mississippi River. Mostly farmers, they grew corn, beans, and squash, called the “three sisters” by historic Southeastern Indians. Located next to the Mississippi River, many cultures were there during the 17th century AD. Old as 1000-1500 AD, Abandoned at 1500 AD.
Most Know For controlled Peruvian highlands and coast, integrating disparate cultures and building a network of roads that the Inca would later repurpose for their own empire. They were at direct competition with the Tiwanaku, and Impacted later civilizations. 15,000 people, in a empire well ministrated. Old as 750-1000 AD, it was abandoned at 1000 CE.
Most Known for their agriculture, cultivating all available land, introducing irrigation, draining swamps, and creating artificial islands in the lakes. They developed a form of hieroglyphic writing, a complex calendar system, and built famous pyramids and temples. Flourished in central Mexico, The Aztec peoples included different ethnic groups of central Mexico, particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and who dominated large parts of Mesoamerica from the 14th to the 16th centuries. By the early 16th century, the Aztecs had come to rule over up to 500 small states, and some 5 to 6 million people, either by conquest or commerce. Old as 1430-1512 AD, Abandoned at 1512 AD.
Most known for drawing huge geoglyphs, geometric drawings of birds and other animals using varnished rock. Masters at textiles and ceramic pottery, Fine pottery and textiles were buried with the dead. Located on the South coast of Peru, Ventilla was the Nazca urban capital and covered over 2 square kilometres, Small Villages, 25,000 People lived here. Old as 1-700 AD, Abandoned at 750 CE.
Caral Supe Civilization
The Olmec Civilization
The Maya Civilization
The Zapotec Civilization
The Nazca Civilization
The Tiwanaku Civilization
The Wari Civilization
The Inca Civilization
The Mississippian Culture
The Aztec Civilization