SSWH8 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the development of societies in Central and South America.

a.Explain the rise and fall of the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca empires.

b.Compare the culture of the Americas; include government, economy, religion, and the arts of the Maya, Aztecs, and Incas.

In the Americas, two early civilizations existed: the Olmec, in

what we know today as Mexico from 1200 to 1400 B.C.E…..

…and the Chavin in the Andres from 900 to 300

B.C.E.

The Olmecs an urban society

supported by surpluses of corn, beans, and squash.

Mastered irrigation techniques

Constructed large-scale buildings.

Polytheistic Developed a system

of writing and a calendar.

Not River Valleys Olmec nor Chavin

developed in a river valley.

Had access to H2O, i.e. streams

No major river for:

Agricultural production

Hub for trade/culture

Hypothesis Refutation

Hypothesis: River valleys are

essential for the emergence of early civilizations.

Disproved by Olmecs and Chavin

In addition: These civilizations

demonstrate that the same patterns of civilizations can develop without exposure to other civilizations.

Olmec 1500 BCE – 200 CE

Meso-American Civilizations

Central American CivilizationsOlmec -

1500BCE-200CE

Maya 200-1200CE

Aztecs 1350-1530

Geography Yukatan

Peninsula located on the

hot, humid coasts of the Gulf of Mexico

surrounded by rain forests, grasslands, and swamps

Olmec PoliticsCalled “Cult of the

Jaguar”City state

government that united for religious celebrations under the authority of a Priest/shaman

Dirt and clay pyramids used for political power and religious ceremonies

EconomicsMost were farmersbased on power and wealth

priests and government (theocracy) were the most powerful

merchants and craftspeople were next

farmers were the lowest

Most city states had their own language and customs

Colossal Head #10 Basalt San Lorenzo

http://isis.csuhayward.edu/dbsw/anthropology/miller/3250/03olmec/aolmec2.html#PHOTO%20GALLERY:

Olmec Religion shaman ruled:

claimed to shape-change into jaguars

control nature (rain, sun, crops),

fly, kill enemies from a

distance, and bear off-spring even

though they are men.

Jaguars seen as magical

foundation of later Maya civilization.

Shaman as jaguar carrying his spirit

Riding Crocodiles in the Spirit world

Social LifeMen: ploughed and

planted fields tended crops hunted and fishedWomen/Older girls housekeeping chores making clothes supplying the home

with firewood and water

caring for younger children

Intellectual LifeMaize

Domesticated 3000BCE = major staple crop

cotton, cacao, feathers, pelts, woods, rubber

developed a number system, calendar, and a form of writing

Olmec Art: Jade Sculpture(plus giant heads and pyramids)

Jade Axe Were-Jaguar Olmec Figure

http://isis.csuhayward.edu/dbsw/anthropology/miller/3250/03olmec/aolmec2.html#PHOTO%20GALLERY:

Olmec Influence on the Maya

Maize Ceremonial

centers with temple pyramids

Calendar based on the Olmec one

Ball games Rituals involving

human sacrifice

Decline Not known what

happened Their main

center, San Lorenzo, was abandoned around 900 BC

Possible reasons: Environmental, important rivers changing course, an invasion.

SSWH8 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the development of societies in Central and South America.

a. Explain the rise and fall of the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca empires.

b. Compare the culture of the Americas; include government, economy, religion, and the arts of the Maya, Aztecs, and Incas.

List five facts which will help you remember this lesson:• • • • •