Analyze the similar environmental and cultural impacts of the Aztec and Inca. (1 point)
1. The both altered their environment for farming and introduced language.
2. They both used ashlar stone construction and built roads.
3. They both worshipped the sun god and grew coco leaves to make chocolate.
4. They both used dikes and grew corn.
Some of the similar environmental and cultural impacts of the Aztec and Inca civilizations include:
1. Alteration of the environment for farming: Both the Aztecs and Incas significantly modified their environments to create agricultural systems that could sustain their growing populations. The Aztecs famously built chinampas, artificial islands made of mud and reeds, to cultivate crops in the swamps of the Valley of Mexico. Similarly, the Incas constructed terraces on hillsides to create flat land for farming in the steep Andean terrain.
2. Introduction of language: Both civilizations had distinctive languages that became widely used by their respective populations. The Aztecs primarily spoke Nahuatl, while the Incas used Quechua. By spreading their languages, these civilizations played a major role in shaping the cultural and linguistic landscapes of Mesoamerica and the Andes.
3. Use of ashlar stone construction and road-building: Both the Aztecs and Incas were accomplished builders and master stonemasons. They constructed monumental structures and buildings using precisely cut stones, a technique known as ashlar construction. Additionally, both civilizations also invested significant efforts in creating road networks. The Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan, for example, had causeways that connected it to the mainland, while the Incas built an extensive road system, the most famous of which is the Inca Trail.
4. Worship of the sun god and cultivation of important crops: The sun played a significant role in the religious beliefs of both the Aztecs and Incas. The Aztecs worshipped the sun god, known as Huitzilopochtli, and considered him to be one of their most important deities. Similarly, the Incas worshipped Inti, the sun god, as the supreme deity. Both civilizations also relied heavily on agriculture as a means of subsistence and cultivated important crops. While the Aztecs grew maize (corn), the Incas cultivated potatoes, quinoa, and other crops suited to the high-altitude Andean environment.
Overall, these similarities in environmental and cultural impacts highlight some of the common aspects of these two influential civilizations in Mesoamerica and the Andes.