Assignment 3a

Assignment 3a

1. In a brief paragraph, tell us what "Pre-Colombian' means.

Pre- Colombian is a term that refers to the Americas before any major European influence appeared. This term is traditionally given to the indigenous cultures in Central & Southern Americas. Many of these cultures are long gone and are known only through their archeological remains.

4. Research the Internet on any 1 of the topics listed. In your research, use 1 youtube.com video clip, 1 print.

Aztec
YouTube Video
MNSU Info

5. Tell us why you chose the topic, tell us about the sources you used (eg if video, what can you expect to see on the video clip you viewed)
I chose to research the Aztec culture because in middle school I remember learning about several different indigenous societies, with focus on the Aztecs. I viewed the video that was linked to the assignment and found it very helpful. In just about 2 minutes, the publisher told the viewer several main facts about the main city, Tenochtitlan, where most of the Aztec, or those who spoke the language, Nahuatl. I also just Googled “Aztec” to find the print source I used and was very pleased to find it because generally any source with an .edu ending is reliable.

6. Tell us 3 interesting facts about your topic in 3 separate paragraphs.
Agricultural availability help the Aztec culture survive. Tenochtitlan was located next to a lake, so water was a major source of nourishment for the Aztecs. They hunted, but mostly fished in the rivers, and oceans for those close, and caught mostly fish and shrimp, with the occasional oysters and sea turtles. The area surrounding Tenochtitlan was rich with wildlife, including wild turkey, rabbits and deer, that the Aztecs ate whenever one was caught.

Although Nahutal is considered the language of the Aztecs, it was only their spoken language. Aztecs were also considered only those who spoke this language and those who did not speak Nahutal were not “official” Aztecs. Despite communicating with each other, this culture, however, did not have a written language. Although no official written language was established, there are written documents using primitive hieroglyphics.

The Aztecs frequently served human sacrifices to the gods. They felt that routine and formal sacrifices was essential to human life prevailing in the future. Once a slave was captured, his skin would be the centerpiece of the special occasion. On these special occasions, eating of the former slave was considered an honor to those present. On an annual basis, approx. 50 people, mainly slaves, were sacrificed to the gods.

7. Cite your sources used for this component and tell us why these sources are credible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7nbKa5__XM - This is a credible source because the professor suggested it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-Columbian -This is a semi credible source because there is a list of external references that include doctors whom are experts and trustworthy in this field of study.

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/mesoamerica/aztec.html -This is a credible site because it ends in .edu which is only given to those webistes that are educational. This website also gives reference to other works used to compile the info given.