Latin American Civilizations

Latin American Civilizations

Product ID: 13557

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Author: Balraj Saggar
Publisher: Aravali Books International
Year: 2004
Language: English
Pages: 189
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8181500148

Description

Here-in you get a fascinating study of those unknown who contributed 60% of the domesticated plants in the world. Prior to the discovery of America in 1492, the Old World had no knowledge of maize, potato, tomato, cacao, papaya, rubber and a host of other plants.

They had no wheel, no hard metal to make tools and no draught animal to carry heavy loads or pull huge pieces of stone, still the Mayas, the Aztecs and the Incas raised such structures a leave the visitor spellbound in awe and wondering as to how they could build these monuments.

The gold and silver smiths producted marvels of craftsmanship. But a few of these precious artefacts have survived the greed and lust of gold hungry spaniards and can be seen in museums only.

Their cities were well laid out and planned according to some grand scheme and were properly maintained. On November 8, 1519, when the Spaniards entered the Aztec capital, they found it a fabulous city of 2,00,000 people and much larger than London, the biggest city of Europe at that time.

The Mayas seem to be obsessed with the study of mathematics and astronomy. Using only three symbols, they could write any imaginably larger number. In reckoning time, their earliest recorded date is over 400 million years before AD 766. In the field of astronomy, their Venus year differed from the real value of 583.92 days by just 23 seconds.

The Incas had no written language. Still they were able to keep the latest detailed statistics of their vast empire. Their administration ensured that no subject slept hungry. Their roads had no parallel road system in the Old World. Their roads were well-paved and regularly kept clean. To cross the mountain steams, they built suspension bridges over deep gorges. These were kept quite clean and repaired regularly. But how they could construct these long-lasting bridges is a mystery.

A great resemblance in customs, beliefs and ways of life of the Latin American people and the Aryans of India is apparent that gives rise to the speculation of a possible link between the two. But no direct in link between America and India in the past has come to light so far.

Contents

Preface
General
Other Old and contemporary civilizations of Mesoamerica

MAYA CIVILIZATION

Background
History
Maya Kingship
Lifestyle, society and beliefs
Economy
Science, writing and calendar
Pronunciation guide for the Maya language

AZTEC CIVILIZATION

Geographical setting
History
Tenochtitlan
Administration and justice
Lifestyle and beliefs
Economy
Aztec thought and literature
Calendar
Pronunciation of the Aztec language

INCA CIVILIZATION

Background
Earlier civilizations (up to 200 A D)
Earlier civilizations (200-1100 A D)
Inca civilization-History
Administration
Lifestyle and beliefs
Economy
Roads and bridges
Cuzco, the Inca capital
Machu Picchu
Peruvian sheep
Glossary
Bibliography