Lesson 5 Evidence of Science and Technology during Pre-Columbian Times (1500 B.C.

-
A.D. 1500 in the New World)

Olmec
(1200 BCE-400 BCE)

It means “rubber people” in

Nahuatl. They are known to
cultivate cacao, rubber, and
salt.

Mayan Calendar

It used a count of 260 days. The Gregorian Calendar is

This calendar gave each. the most widely used
day a name, much like our. calendar in the world today.
days of the week. There
were 20 day names, repre-
sented by their respective
symbols.

Mayan Language and Book

The written language of The English language that

Mayan is made up of we use today is so diverse
800 glyphs or symbols. and has absorbed many
They also developed a different words from diffe-
form of an early book rent languages.
that recorded the exploits
of their gods, daily life,
and many more.

Mayan Astronomy

The Mayan Astronomy Modern astronomy includes

tracked the movement. many elements of the
of the stars and planets. motions and characteristics
across the sky, and were. of these bodies, and the two
able to predict celestial. terms are often used inter-
events such as eclipses. changeably today.
Aztec Dugout Canoes

Aztecs developed dugout canoes Canoes today are

with which they transported them- widely used for
selves and their goods throughout. competition and
the many canals, lakes, and water- pleasure such as,
ways found in the Valley of Mexico. racing, whitewater
touring and
camping.

Aztecs Medicine

Aztec medicine was found in Today, most medi-

many forms, such as ointments, cines are produced
drinks, and salves. through chemical
processes.

Badianus Manuscript
.

The oldest known American

Herbal: “Little Book of the
Medicinal Herbs of the
Indians”

Cumpi
.

Finest grade for cloth, Mulberry silk is the finest and

being reserved for the. soft silk which is the most
emperor and nobility. expensive silk fabric in the
world.
Inca calendar

The Inca calendar was The Gregorian calendar

essentially lunisolar, as. is the most widely used two
calendars were main- calendar in the world tained in
parallel, one. today.
solar and one lunar.

Quipu
.
It is used as mnemonic
devices or to record numerical
data and also believed to record
history and literature.

Inca medicine
They performed successful skull
surgeries, which involved cutting
holes in the skull in order to
alleviate fluid buildup and infla-
mmation caused by head wounds.

Bone-tipped spears

A pole weapon consisting of

a shaft, usually of wood, with
a pointed head.