The Incas and Mayans were both civilizations that did not reign for very long, but still left their mark in history. They both were different, yet remained similar in society, trade, and religion. First off, the two civilizations were different in their societies. The Incan people were separated amongst one another based upon social rank. They held a class system that held rulers and wives as the highest level to farmers, herding families and conscripts as the lowest.
The Mayans, however, were divided depending on one’s profession.Also, Inca as a whole was ruled over by an emperor, whereas in Maya, kings were chosen to have authority over separate city-states. Inca’s society focused themselves more upon their rank in class and loyalty to their ruler, but the Mayans were more concerned about art and the importance of astronomy and astrology. Trade and economy also held a common ground between the Mayans and Incas. Both primarily traded goods like cocoa, cotton, maize and textiles, but Inca’s most popular crop of trade was potatoes.Both societies constructed large market places for people to set up their trading posts and sell whatever they grew or made.
Tikal was the most popular and also the largest trading post in Maya. Also, caravans were found very common for transporting materials between traders. However, Maya was known to trade overseas with other countries, but Inca remained within its own borders and having no interactions with anyone outside of Inca. The only impact outside civilizations on Inca was that of when they were invaded and conquered by Spain.The Mayans depended greatly upon Mesoamerica for trade and goods that couldn’t be harvested in Maya.
Lastly, religion was something that Maya and Inca differed greatly in. They both worshipped sun gods, but Maya also found worship with other nature gods like rain and corn. They held human sacrifices as offerings to these nature gods in hopes for no droughts, good crops, etc. On the other hand, Inca only offered teeth, nail clippings and hair as offerings during rituals.
Inca stressed greatly that their emperor was a mandate from heaven, and it was up to him to prevent any droughts or floods from occurring.They also believed and focused their attention to the belief of a life after death. Maya found astronomy and astrology more important. While both Maya and Inca created temples and pyramids for the deceased royalties to be placed in, the Mayans also created calendars that could predict eclipses. Although the two civilizations were very different in society, religion, and economy, they were also very similar.
They held common grounds in worship, trading goods, and division upon their people. Although they were cultures that did not last very long, the Incas and Mayans still made history.
