As the sun rises over the city of Chan Chan, Maxo, a former soldier, finds himself unable to sleep. The night before, a friend had visited him with a mysterious message: Maxo must go to the plaza in the artisan neighborhood at noon. With the city in political chaos, this request could be dangerous.
Chan Chan, located on the north coast of what is now Peru, was once the heart of the Chimú Empire, the most powerful empire in the region. The city is known for its impressive adobe brick structures and ten grand palaces. However, the Incas have taken control after defeating the Chimú army and capturing their king, Minchancaman. The king’s son still sits on the throne, but he must obey the Incas because his father is held hostage in Cusco.
Maxo makes his way past the palaces, following a canal that brings water from the Andean highlands to the desert city. The plaza is busy, but it feels different to Maxo. Before the Inca conquest, Chan Chan was a bustling trade center with llamas carrying goods and artisans creating beautiful works. Now, many artisans have been taken to Cusco by the Incas.
To blend in, Maxo approaches a seafood vendor. While bargaining for fish, a priest taps his shoulder and signals for him to follow. As they walk through the empty artisan homes, Maxo worries it might be a trap. When they reach a dark doorway, Maxo draws his knife, but he drops it when he sees what’s inside.
Inside, influential figures from the city and beyond have gathered. These include nobility, local leaders, and familiar faces from the army. They are planning a rebellion against the Incas, aiming to attack the Inca soldiers at the old fortress, the site of the last battle. They need Maxo’s help because he is the only survivor who knows the fortress layout.
Maxo hesitates, remembering the friends he lost in battle and worrying about their king, a hostage in Cusco. But then, the king’s son steps forward, sharing a rumor that the king might already be dead. He declares that the time for rebellion is now, and he will lead it. Inspired by the prince’s words, Maxo agrees to join.
As Maxo heads home along the canals, he recalls how the Incas once cut off their water supply, but Chan Chan survived thanks to its deep wells. He hopes the city has one more reserve of strength to draw from.
In 2016, archaeologists discovered the mummified remains of a man from this period near Chan Chan. While many details of the rebellion remain unknown, it is clear that the Incas burned Chan Chan afterward, causing many deaths and scattering its people. Just a few decades later, the Inca Empire itself fell to Spanish forces. The mummy, having survived many battles, likely lived to an old age and died naturally.
Imagine you are Maxo, the former soldier. Write a diary entry describing your thoughts and feelings on the day of the rebellion. Include details about the city of Chan Chan, the secret meeting, and your decision to join the rebellion. Use descriptive language to bring the historical setting to life.
Create a map of Chan Chan and its surroundings, highlighting key locations mentioned in the article, such as the artisan neighborhood, the palaces, and the canals. Use your creativity to illustrate the journey Maxo takes through the city. Present your map to the class and explain the significance of each location.
In groups, reenact the secret meeting where the rebellion is planned. Assign roles such as Maxo, the priest, the king’s son, and other influential figures. Discuss the motivations and emotions of each character. Perform your role-play for the class, focusing on the tension and urgency of the situation.
Conduct research on the Inca Empire and its interactions with the Chimú Empire. Create a presentation that includes information about the Inca’s military strategies, cultural influences, and eventual downfall. Share your findings with the class to provide context for the rebellion against the Incas.
Design a poster that Maxo and his allies might have used to rally support for the rebellion. Include slogans, symbols, and imagery that reflect the spirit of resistance and the cultural heritage of Chan Chan. Display your poster in the classroom and explain the choices you made in your design.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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It’s daybreak in the city of Chan Chan, and Maxo, a former soldier, has been up all night worrying. A friend visited him last night and instructed Maxo to go to the plaza in the artisan neighborhood at noon for an important message. However, with the recent political turmoil, responding to this mysterious summons could be dangerous.
Located on the north coast of modern-day Peru, this adobe brick metropolis was the center of the Chimú Empire for hundreds of years, the most powerful empire on the continent until now. This morning, the city appears much the same as ever. Its ten palaces have decorative walls that keep ordinary people like Maxo out, but he knows that the rulers inside no longer truly represent his people. The Incas now govern here after defeating the Chimú army and taking the Chimú king, Minchancaman, to the Inca capital of Cusco, where he was married to an Inca princess. Although one of Minchancaman’s sons still sits on the throne, he must comply with the Incas’ wishes because his father is their hostage.
Maxo hurries past the palaces, following a canal to his destination. An elaborate network of canals brings water from the Andean highlands to this desert city. The plaza is bustling, but to Maxo, it feels like a shadow of its former self. Before the conquest, Chan Chan was a trade hub, with llamas bringing goods from the highlands and thousands of artisans, including expert goldsmiths and artists who created beautiful clothing from the feathers of macaws and exotic birds. All of this is gone now, as the Incas took the artisans to Cusco.
To blend in, Maxo approaches a man selling seafood. While he barters for fresh fish, a priest taps his shoulder and silently gestures for Maxo to follow him. As they navigate through the empty artisan homes, Maxo fears it might be a trap. When the priest leads him through a dark doorway, he instinctively draws his knife, but upon seeing what’s on the other side, he drops it.
In front of him are influential figures from across the city and beyond: nobility, local political and religious leaders, and a few familiar faces from the army. They have been secretly working on a plan that could change everything. Leaders from all over the former Chimú Empire are gathered to see what will happen in Chan Chan. Tonight, they plan to rebel against the Incas, attacking the Inca soldiers stationed at the old fortress down the road, the site of the final battle in the war. They want Maxo to join them; they need him, as he is the only survivor of the last battle and knows the layout of the site.
Maxo is uncertain about facing the place where so many of his friends died. He also worries about their king, who is a hostage in Cusco. If they rebel, won’t the Incas kill him? In response, a young man steps out of the shadows: King Minchancaman’s son. He shares a rumor from Cusco that the king is already dead, indicating that the time for rebellion is now, and he will lead it. The prince’s speech convinces Maxo.
As he follows the canals home to prepare, he recalls how the Incas cut off the water supply, but Chan Chan survived on its deep, independent wells. He hopes his city has one more reserve of strength to draw from.
In 2016, the mummified remains of a man from this period were discovered just outside Chan Chan. Many details of the rebellion and its instigators remain mysteries. What is known is that afterward, the Incas burned Chan Chan, resulting in the deaths of many residents and scattering others throughout the Inca Empire. Just decades later, the Inca Empire itself fell to Spanish forces. As for the mummy, after surviving many battle wounds, he likely lived to an old age and died of natural causes.
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This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing any potentially sensitive or inappropriate content.
Rebellion – A resistance or uprising against an established government or authority. – The rebellion against the oppressive regime was a pivotal moment in the country’s history.
Empire – A group of states or territories controlled by a single supreme authority, often an emperor or empress. – The Roman Empire was one of the most powerful empires in ancient history.
Chan Chan – An archaeological site in Peru, known as the capital of the ancient Chimú civilization. – Chan Chan was renowned for its impressive adobe architecture and intricate carvings.
Incas – A South American indigenous people who established a vast empire in the Andes before the Spanish conquest. – The Incas were known for their advanced engineering skills, especially in constructing roads and terraces.
King – A male monarch who is the supreme ruler of a kingdom. – King Louis XIV of France is often remembered for his absolute rule and the construction of the Palace of Versailles.
Artisans – Skilled craft workers who create goods by hand. – During the Middle Ages, artisans played a crucial role in producing goods for local markets and trade.
Fortress – A military stronghold designed for defense against enemy attacks. – The fortress was strategically located on a hill to provide a vantage point over the surrounding area.
Trade – The exchange of goods and services between people or entities. – The Silk Road was an ancient trade route that connected the East and West, facilitating cultural and economic exchanges.
Political – Relating to the government, public affairs, or the administration of a country. – The political landscape of Europe changed dramatically after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Water – A vital natural resource essential for life, often influencing the development of civilizations. – Access to water was a key factor in the establishment of ancient cities along the Nile River.
