Americas Ancient Civilizations

Thriving between AD 100-750, Teotihuacan was one of the largest cities in the ancient world, with a population estimated at upwards of 150,000-250,000, over three times the size of contemporary Mayan capitals. Furthermore, Teotihuacan was a supremely well-planned and efficient city that was able to field massive armies and extend its power far beyond its home base. Teotihuacan not only served as a vital center for trade in Ancient Mesoamerica, but also spread its architecture, art, religion, and culture.

Durante muchos años, los aztecas han capturado nuestra imaginación. Las historias de los invasores europeos originales combinadas con ruinas y leyendas únicas e impresionantes que hablan de palacios de oro crean una imagen de la sociedad azteca definida por la grandeza, la riqueza y el esplendor. Pero, ¿quiénes eran exactamente los aztecas? ¿De dónde vienen? ¿Cómo ascendieron para controlar una extensión tan amplia de tierra? Y si fueron tan poderosos, ¿cómo era posible que cayeran del poder y la dominación solo tres años después del primer contacto con los españoles?

Los mayas crearon una sociedad asombrosa, llena de sorpresas que nos mantienen adivinando cómo llegó a ser este pueblo y por qué - exactamente - cayó su civilización. Abundan las teorías, los descubrimientos arqueológicos nos dejan perplejos e inspirados, pero una cosa es cierta: ¡su historia se parece mucho más a nuestro pasado reciente de lo que jamás nos hubiéramos imaginado! Acompáñenos a profundizar en la historia de los mayas, descubriendo historias, hechos y teorías sobre esta importante - aunque desconcertante - sociedad:

The Olmecs lived thousands of years ago but you can still meet them, albeit imaginatively, through books. There are a lot to learn from history, and among which are lessons that need to be understood. Be amazed with how advanced the Olmecs were in building their society, in creating religion, and even in their beliefs or mythologies.

Explore the mesmerizing origins of the Aztecs, discover how a wandering desert tribe came to rule much of present-day Mexico, and investigate the spectacular–albeit somewhat depraved–culture that set their civilization apart.

América Central y del Sur estuvieron llenas de grandes civilizaciones. Este libro analiza cinco de las más famosas: los olmecas, los toltecas, los aztecas, los incas y los mayas. Estas civilizaciones aparecieron por primera vez en América Central y del Sur hace más de mil años, y algunos descendientes de estas tribus siguen viviendo en estas regiones en la actualidad.

Travel back to a thousand years before the Aztecs, when volcanos obliterated cities, impelling the survivors to find a place of safety. These survivors built the largest city in the Americas and one of the world’s top seven megacities. They erected the highest pyramid in Mexico and apartment compounds for 125,000 people. Teotihuacan stood out as Mesoamerica’s leading metropolis from the third to sixth century CE. Its multi-ethnic population developed coast-to-coast trade, extending south to Central America.

Precursors to the Aztecs (amazing in their own right), the Toltec people were the pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilization honored for their artisanship and tactile warfare - considered so fierce and respectable that the Aztecs claimed descendancy from them! How did this empire come to be regarded as the apex of culture, sophistication, and civilization? Why did the Aztecs overtake them, and how? And…which came first: the Mayans, the Toltecs, or the Aztecs? Explore these questions and more as you step into amazing architectural sites in Indiana Jones-eque style.

Stripped of her rights for refusing to assimilate, sixteen-year-old Philadelphia Smyrna escapes Earth’s religious containment camps when her father is summoned to work on Mars. The remote research base seems like a haven of tolerance—until she discovers it’s the same base where her brother mysteriously died two years before. Searching for answers, she stumbles into a hidden lab and uncovers terrifying experiments for an apocalyptic weapon. The scientist in charge has cruel plans for Earth, and he will kill to keep his secret hidden.

Embark on an adventure across the vast empires of the Americas with this extraordinary 3-in-1 bundle, carefully crafted to introduce you to the remarkable civilizations of the Aztecs, Incas, and Mayas.

The Inca empire was vast and massive. Yet, still so few people know much about it, aside from what they've heard from vague rumors. But did you know the Inca people showed various similarities to those who came from the Middle East? Did you know that they mummified their dead and built pyramids? Infamous among the historical stories from the Spanish invaders are the evidence of human sacrifice and their polytheistic views on nature and life.

The Ancient Maya creates a portrait of life in the ancient Mayan civilization. Describes the history, language, social classes, customs, culture, religion, and warfare of the ancient civilization of the Mayas.

What was Aztec culture like? Use this audiobook to examine the features of the Aztec empire particularly its aqueducts, art, architecture, and society. Where did they live and what was their way of life like? How successful were the Aztecs in building and expanding their empire? Listen all about the Aztecs in this audiobook for fourth graders.

Rosalba is a nine-year-old Mayan girl living in rural Mexico. Like her mother and grandmother, she weaves stories of her people onto blouses, ensuring that the age-old traditions continue. But new influences are entering her life. A ladina girl from the city, visiting with her scientist father, passes on the astonishing news that the Mayan calendar predicts the end of the world in 2012. Rosalba knows nothing about that, but her village is faced with a bulldozer tearing through the forest, dying wildlife, and cornfields in danger.

From the moment Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortés first found and confronted them, the Aztecs have fascinated the world, and they continue to hold a unique place both culturally and in pop culture. Nearly 500 years after the Spanish conquered their mighty empire, the Aztecs are often remembered today for their major capital, Tenochtitlan, as well as being fierce conquerors of the Valley of Mexico who often engaged in human sacrifice rituals.

Diesmal bringt das magische Baumhaus Anne und Philipp an den Fuß eines Berges in Peru. In der Nähe lebende Bauern erzählen ihnen von einem gestohlenen Babylama, und die Geschwister versprechen, das Tier zu seinen Besitzern zurückzubringen. Doch der Weg ist tückisch: Die Suche nach dem Kleinen führt die Kinder in die geheimnisvolle Inka-Stadt Machu Picchu. Ob ihnen die Lama-Legende helfen kann, das junge Tier sicher nach Hause zu bringen?

The Toltecs are one of the most mysterious and little understood of all the ancient cultures of Mesoamerica. This culture was venerated by later civilizations, such as the Aztecs. Even today, “Toltec knowledge” is used as a kind of shorthand for arcane wisdom from an ancient culture. However, discussing the actual history of the Toltecs is extremely difficult. Much of what we know of these people comes from writings and oral traditions of the Aztecs, as translated and interpreted by the European invaders.

In 2012 especially there was a renewed focus on the Mayans, whose advanced calendar led many to speculate the world would end on the same date the Mayan calendar ends. The focus on the doomsday scenario, however, has overshadowed the Mayans' true contributions to astronomy, language, sports, and art.

A hurricane is brewing in the jungles of the Maya, and the ancient Death Lords are on the warpath. Across the world in Venice, Italy, hanging out with his blogger friend Nasty (Anastasia) Smith-Jones and eating Pizza Gelato, Max Murphy thinks he is safe from their clutches. But when a rogue octopus pulls him off his gondola and tries to drag him down to the underworld, Max realizes that the Death Lords have not finished with him yet.

Who are the Mayans (MY-anns)? Why are they a mystery? Where did they come from? What did they eat? Why did they build pyramids? What did they predict would happen in the future? Why did the Mayan civilization die out? What can we learn from the ancient Mayans?