| Many conceive that the Aztecs and the Mayans are | | | | they recognize only one supreme ruler. The Aztecs |
| the same people, but they are not. Although both of | | | | were destroyed by the Spaniards and those who |
| these civilizations are pre-European in origin, their | | | | survived can perhaps be glimpsed among the present |
| cultures are different. Their only similarity is that they | | | | day Mexicans. |
| managed to create a grand civilization in the ancient | | | | The Mayans belongs to the Mesoamerican civilization. |
| past that even today keeps us amazed at their | | | | The Mayan civilization is around a thousand years |
| accomplishments and influence in our civilization. | | | | older than those with the Aztecs. They are a peaceful |
| The Aztecs were certain ethnic groups in Central | | | | loving people and because of this nature they were |
| Mexico, particularly those groups who spoke the | | | | easily conquered by the Spaniards. They are noted to |
| Nahuatl language and who dominated large parts of | | | | have the only known fully developed written language |
| Mesoamerica in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, a | | | | of the pre-Columbian America, as well as its art, |
| period referred to as the late post-classic period in | | | | architecture, mathematical and astronomical systems. |
| Mesoamerican chronology. They had developed a | | | | They studied the solar system and came up with a |
| unique technique of agriculture where they would put a | | | | very credible calendar that is similar to the modern one |
| soil on rafts made of reeds and plant seeds on it. | | | | we have today. Their sense of art is expressed in |
| They called it Chinampas or floating garden. The | | | | murals depicting their existence. They are focused in |
| Aztecs were outstanding craftsmen and sculptors. | | | | creating a system in their environment. The Mayans |
| They are intense people who make sacrifices to their | | | | have cities each ruled by their own sovereign ruler. |
| sun god and they use their war captives as sacrifice. | | | | The Mayans can still be found in Yucatan, |
| They believe that if the human sacrifices are stopped, | | | | Southeastern Mexico in the present day. |
| the sun god would not rise. They also practice | | | | Both civilizations have developed a calendar that are |
| cannibalism. Surprisingly, they had a court system and | | | | said to predict the future of mankind. |