Ancient History Resources for Homeschool and Personal Study. This weeks topics: Chimor Civization, Wari Civilization, Inca Civilization, and Machu Picchu.

Ancient History is studied through the collection of archeological evidence, written records and oral stories or myths. Just because evidence shows a particular belief or custom was common at a particular time does not mean that everyone in that civilization shared that belief. When you study the topics for this week, you can either go deep on one topic for the week and skip the others or you can do a new topic each day. This outline is just a suggested pace, you can go slower or faster as needed. This outline is intended to provide you with a place to start. You will still need to do your own research.

Four Cornered Hat of the Wari

Homeschool Topics for Week 27

Chimor Civilization

Wari Civilization

Inca Civilization

Machu Picchu

Discussion Questions

Chimor Civilization

The Chimor lived in present-day Chile. They were an aristocratic society where the elite ruled and the commoners were to remain in their caste and live in specified areas. This civilization worshiped the moon where the Incas worshiped the sun. The luxury item of this civilization was not gold but a red shell. Chan Chan was the capital city where the government was located. The Chimor built irrigation canals when ground water sank after geologic shifts. They also used sunken farms where topsoil was removed to reveal a sandy substrate which they used to grow food. They grew cotton in seven natural colors as well as making dyes and using feathers in embroidered detail. Learn more here. See Chan Chan on Google Earth

Textiles and Clothing
Cotton and wool were the primary textiles of the region. The weaving patterns, often in a checkerboard pattern, showed the order of society and who had authority. Birds and animals were depicted. The artifacts we have today to look at are visually stunning.

See Chimu artifacts at The Met

Wari Civilization

The Wari lived on Chile's arid coast. They conquered other tribes, built roads and irrigation channels to increase the amount of land their civilization occupied. However, it was drought combined with social upheaval that led to their demise. Read this article to see how changes in the environment affected their civilization. The Wari were eventually conquered by the Incas. See a Wari Khipu sample at Google Arts and Culture

Inca Civilization

The Inca referred to themselves as the Four Suyu (referring to the four provinces of the empire). They conquered neighboring tribes and required tribute from them. It is believed that they did not use currency but had a barter system. The government provided for it's citizens material needs but did not allow any upward mobility.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is the citadel or palace of a group of Inca elite. The site has terraces for farming but not enough food was produced on site to support the population. Many items were imported from other parts of the Inca empire to the site. There are no written records from the site.

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