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SAY IT IN AZTEC The Aztecs spoke Nahuatl (say

“nah-hwatull”). It was related to several Native North American languages and quite different from most others spoken in the land where they settled. In Nahuatl, the Aztecs’ name for themselves was “Mexica” (say “mesh-ee-ca”). Today, this has become the name of a nation, Mexico. And more than 2 million native Mexicans speak Nahuatl today.

This ancient city of Maya was uncovered in Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico. The Maya was just one civilization the Aztecs found when they arrived in Mesoamerica.

TEXT-DEPENDENT QUESTIONS 1. What modern countries make up ancient Mesoamerica? 2. When the Aztecs arrived in Mesoamerica, they found many people already there. Name three of these civilizations the Aztecs found. 3. What expertise did the Aztecs have that helped them survive in such inhospitable surroundings? RESEARCH PROJECT The Aztecs used irrigation to water their crops, but they did not have sprinklers like we do today. Research how the Aztecs and other ancient civilizations used irrigation to water their crops. Write a two- to three- page report explaining what you found. Ask your teacher if you can show your class what you discovered.

Chapter 1: THE AZTECS MOVE IN 9