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Other

Ancient American Civilizations: Mesoamerica

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource gives an overview of the beginnings of Mesoamerican civilization. The sections about the Olmec are "Early Preclassic" and "Middle Preclassic." Includes information about the raw materials and the luxury items used by the...
Website
Mex Connect

Mexconnect: The Maya Civilization and Cities: A Resource Page

For Students 9th - 10th
The Maya series of articles consists of a map, Maya civilization timeline, cities, numerals and calendar, historical conflicts, and trade and commerce. Articles are written by Luis Dumois, a student of Mayan civilization. Galleries of...
Website
Other

Univ. Of Kansas: Toltecs: Lecture Notes

For Students 9th - 10th
A set of lecture notes detailing the Toltec culture and civilization. These notes are part of a larger course covering the Mesoamerican civilizations.
Website
The British Museum

British Museum: Explore World Cultures: Aztecs

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a description and image gallery with piece descriptions for the art of the prehispanic mesoamerican civilization of the Aztecs.
Unit Plan
C3 Teachers

C3 Teachers: Inquiries: Complex Societies

For Teachers 5th
A learning module on the complexities of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations. It includes several supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance task. Topics covered...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: The Aztecs Mighty Warriors of Mexico

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Unit plan to teach about the Aztec civilization. Includes websites, worksheets, activities, and extending the lesson.
Website
Other

Cultures of Mesoamerica: Olmec

For Students 9th - 10th
Short article describing Olmec civilization as an Early Formative culture that made the transition from dispersed farming to village settlement. A discussion earthworks and links to pictures of artifacts are available. See "Gallery."
Handout
Other

Mesoamerican Religions

For Students 4th - 8th
Discusses features of the religious practices of the Maya, Mixtec, Zapotec, and Aztec civilizations.
Handout
Other

Mesoamerican Governments

For Students 4th - 8th
Discusses characteristics of the governments of the Maya, Mixtec, Zapotec, and Aztec civilizations.
Handout
Mex Connect

Mexconnect: Periods of Civilization in Mesoamerica 300 900 Ad

For Students 9th - 10th
Details Teotihuacan, Cholula, and Monte Alban as the foremost Mayan centers. Be sure to see the timeline that places developments in Mesoamerica with developments in other parts of the world.
Handout
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: John Pohl's Mesoamerica

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive overview of Mesoamerica includes an introduction of the term Mesoamerica, the human populations and the region covered, a chronology including the PreClassic, Classic and PostClassic periods, and art and writing in ancient...
Unknown Type
ProProfs

Pro Profs: Mesoamerica

For Students 9th - 10th
This 58-question, self-scoring exam involves the history of the Inca, Maya, and Aztec civilizations.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Exploring the Early Americas: Interactive Presentations

For Students 9th - 10th
Interactive collection of presentations from the Library of Congress provides glimpses into the fascinating history of pre-Columbian Americas.
Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Soconusco Formative Project (2000)

For Students 9th - 10th
Excavation at this site indicates no other occupation after Middle Formative period, a fact that will drive research in this area. Site includes photographs of artifacts as they are found.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Olmec

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia offers excellent information on the Olmec, a people living in south-central Mexico from 2300 BC to about 800 BC.
Website
Other

Archaeological Legacy Institute: Archaeology Channel: Video Buffet

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has a large collection of free videos featuring various archaeology sites all over the world.
Website
PBS

Pbs Nova Online: Be an Archaeologist

For Students 9th - 10th
Ancient artifacts tell archaeologists a lot about the lives of prehistoric people. Sharpen your archaeological skills by reassembling broken pieces of a clay pot. See before and after photos of ruins, plus a film of a projected...
Website
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Collapse: The Maya

For Students 9th - 10th
Captivating site containing information about the collapse of civilizations. It explores the needs and characteristics of a healthy civilization that must be maintained in order to avoid collapse.
Handout
Other

Mc Clung Museum: Maya: Portraits of a People

For Students 9th - 10th
Gives a short but concise summary of the Mayan civilization along with a timeline and pictures. Can serve as a good introduction to the Mayans. Map of the region is also available.
Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: Lost World of the Maya

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the ancient civilization of the Maya in and around the Yucatan Peninsula. Find information on the lost city of Copan and understand the social hierarchy of the Maya.
Website
Other

World Museum of Man: Pre Columbian Aztec Period

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource endeavours to construct pictures of ancient cultures based on clues from their tools and weapons. The picture left behind of the Aztecs is that of a violent society that routinely massacred people for religious and...
Handout
Metropolitan Museum of Art

Metropolitan Museum of Art: Teotihuacan

For Students 9th - 10th
Detail offered on Teotihuacan civilization, Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, mural paintings, and the Ciudadela.
Website
Archaeological Institute of America

The Americas First Colony?

For Students 9th - 10th
Skeletal remains of a juvenile with jade ax blades suggests a possible Olmec colony in Southern Mexico.
Website
Mex Connect

Mexico Connect: The Post Classic Period

For Students 9th - 10th
This article includes a summary of Toltec culture and civilization. There is also a link to a timeline of Mexican history.