Compare And Contrast The Aztec And Mayan Civilizations

In Central and South America between 300-1500 C.E., Mayan, Aztec and Incan civilizations were situated in extreme environments ranging from deserts to mountains and rainforest. According to Medieval World and Beyond and various documentaries, these three civilizations had to adapt their environment to meet the needs of their people by implementing water management, land reclamation and agricultural improvements.

The Mayan Empire was situated in Central American rainforest which meant they needed to use slash and burn techniques, build aqueducts, and drain the swamps. Using the slash and burn method, the Mayans were able to burn and clear more land for agriculture, while the ashes from the fires could fertilize the crops to produce better food. Farmers who used this method needed “a lot of land, since each year some areas were planted while others were recovering.” (pg. 268) Aqueducts were long channel

Chinampas were patches of lands, that stood on water and provided better and more farming land, than their swampy land, for growing crops. These floating gardens were built by the Aztecs “by sinking timbers into the water to serve as walls and filling in the area between the timbers with mud, boulders, and reeds.” (pg. 274) Another significant invention by the Aztecs were causeways, which were raised roads built over water for easier transportation that linked the island to the mainland. Wooden bridges were also built on the roads that “could be raised to let boats through or to protect the city in an enemy attack.” (pg. 275) Lastly, Aztec dikes were an important form of water control, that balanced the amount of water coming into the city, by holding back water to prevent flooding. Dikes “10 miles long ran along the east side of the city” were amazing walls or dams that helped keep the Aztec city more safe and secure. (pg.