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Website
University of California

University of California at San Diego: Aztec Chronology

For Students 9th - 10th
An extremely detailed chronology of the Aztecs and their predecessors, stretching from 600 AD to 1521, their conquest by the Spaniards. Scroll to the end to find a genealogical chart of the Aztec royal house.
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Handout
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: John Pohl's Mesoamerica

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive overview of Mesoamerica includes an introduction of the term Mesoamerica, the human populations and the region covered, a chronology including the PreClassic, Classic and PostClassic periods, and art and writing in ancient...
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PBS

Pbs Nova, Lost King of the Maya

For Students 9th - 10th
A site focused on the dynasty of the Mayan empire. Includes some great audio and video clips.
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Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Investigations at an Olmec Community

For Students 9th - 10th
Excellent pictures of domestic areas. Pollen analysis offers information on farming and socialization.
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Handout
Mex Connect

Mexconnect: Periods of Civilization in Mesoamerica 300 900 Ad

For Students 9th - 10th
Details Teotihuacan, Cholula, and Monte Alban as the foremost Mayan centers. Be sure to see the timeline that places developments in Mesoamerica with developments in other parts of the world.
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Website
Mex Connect

Mexconnect: The Maya Civilization and Cities: A Resource Page

For Students 9th - 10th
The Maya series of articles consists of a map, Maya civilization timeline, cities, numerals and calendar, historical conflicts, and trade and commerce. Articles are written by Luis Dumois, a student of Mayan civilization. Galleries of...
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Handout
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Major Archaeological Sites: Pre Classic to Post Classic

For Students 9th - 10th
Chronological history with photographs from cultural periods at the Teotihuacan site. Note that site can be viewed in Spanish.
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Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Archaeology of Early Formative Chalcatzingo

For Students 9th - 10th
Indications of centralized authority in building platform mounds which were most likely a public facility.
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Handout
Other

Mc Clung Museum: Maya: Portraits of a People

For Students 9th - 10th
Gives a short but concise summary of the Mayan civilization along with a timeline and pictures. Can serve as a good introduction to the Mayans. Map of the region is also available.
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Other

Authentic Maya: Maya Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
An overview of ancient Mayan culture in Guatemala touching on topics such as mythology, medicine, warfare, etc. There are numerous links in the article to photos, video, etc.
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Website
Other

Tula: "Place of the Reeds"

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a brief look at the Toltec city of Tula.
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Other

World Museum of Man: Pre Columbian Aztec Period

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource endeavours to construct pictures of ancient cultures based on clues from their tools and weapons. The picture left behind of the Aztecs is that of a violent society that routinely massacred people for religious and...
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Other

Ancient American Civilizations: Mesoamerica

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource gives an overview of the beginnings of Mesoamerican civilization. The sections about the Olmec are "Early Preclassic" and "Middle Preclassic." Includes information about the raw materials and the luxury items used by the...
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Handout
Metropolitan Museum of Art

Metropolitan Museum of Art: Teotihuacan

For Students 9th - 10th
Detail offered on Teotihuacan civilization, Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, mural paintings, and the Ciudadela.
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Website
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Collapse: The Maya

For Students 9th - 10th
Captivating site containing information about the collapse of civilizations. It explores the needs and characteristics of a healthy civilization that must be maintained in order to avoid collapse.
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Website
Other

Different World Travel: Chichen Itza

For Students 9th - 10th
This article for tourists visiting the Mayan and Toltec city of Chichen Itza features information about the site's access and history.
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Website
Other

Cultures of Mesoamerica: Olmec

For Students 9th - 10th
Short article describing Olmec civilization as an Early Formative culture that made the transition from dispersed farming to village settlement. A discussion earthworks and links to pictures of artifacts are available. See "Gallery."
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Handout
PBS

Pbs: The Conquistadors: Aztec Life and Times

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about what life was like for the Aztecs before the Spanish Conquest. This is part of a larger PBS site about the conquistadors.
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Graphic
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Map of Maya Area

For Students 9th - 10th
Map shows the locations of Mayan sites in Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.
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Website
Mex Connect

People and History of Mexico: The Post Classic Period (900 1521 Ad): The Aztecs

For Students 9th - 10th
Information on the settlement of the Aztec in Tenochtitlan, which soon became the capital city of their empire, their notable religious observations and customs, and the news of the landing of the bearded white men bearing crosses.
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Website
Other

Visit Cancun: Mayan Ruins

For Students 9th - 10th
Visit Cancun is a tourism site that gives some basic information about a variety of Mayan ruins.
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Lesson Plan
Lin and Don Donn

Lin and Don Donn: Maya Empire for Kids: Daily Life

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
A history teacher shares ideas as well as lesson and unit plans for teaching about the Mayans.
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Unit Plan
Lin and Don Donn

Lin and Don Donn: Lessons: Aztec

For Students 3rd - 8th
These lesson plans and ideas are designed to teach students about Aztec Indians who ruled much of present-day Mexico before the arrival of the Spanish.
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Handout
Other

Different World: Teotihuacan: In a Place Where Men Became Gods

For Students 9th - 10th
This survey of the ancient city of Teotihuacan provides and accessible introduction to this Mesoamerican archeological site known for the third-largest pyramid in the world.