Both the Mayan and Aztec civilizations were highly advanced and developed complex societies with sophisticated systems of government, art, architecture, and agriculture.
2. Religion and Mythology
Both the Maya and Aztecs had polytheistic religions with a complex pantheon of gods and goddesses. They also practiced ritual bloodletting and human sacrifice as a form of religious worship.
3. Urban Centers and City Planning
The Maya and Aztecs built impressive cities with large populations, monumental architecture, and well-planned urban centers.
4. Agriculture
Both civilizations relied on agriculture as the foundation of their economy, with maize (corn) being the primary crop. They developed advanced farming techniques, including irrigation systems and terracing.
5. Social Structure and Hierarchy
Both civilizations had a hierarchical social structure with a ruling class, a priestly class, a merchant class, and a peasant class.
6. Writing System
The Maya developed a sophisticated system of writing, using glyphs to represent sounds and syllables, while the Aztecs used a pictographic writing system.
7. Calendar
Both cultures developed complex calendars, with the Mayan calendar being particularly advanced and accurate, consisting of a solar calendar, a lunar calendar, and a long count calendar.
8. Art and Architecture
Maya and Aztec art and architecture were characterized by intricate designs, symbolism, and representations of gods, rulers, and religious ceremonies.
9. Decline and Fall
Both civilizations experienced decline and fall, although the causes were different. The Mayan civilization declined around 900 CE, possibly due to factors like climate change, internal conflicts, and external invasions. The Aztec Empire was conquered by the Spanish in the early 16th century.