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Meso-American Civilizations
Central American Civilizations Olmec -
1500BCE-200CE Maya200-1200CE Aztecs 1350-1530
Quick Review of Course
Cycle of Civilization – ODPD – Origin, Development, Peak, Decline
Paleolithic – nomadic hunter gatherer Neolithic = civilization, agricultural revolution,
cities 4 River Valley Civilizations
China India Africa Middle East
China 8000 bce – 600 ce SZQH
Europe – MMGHRR
Middle East SBAP –
India – IAMG –
Africa – Egypt South America – Olmec, Maya, Aztec, Inca
South America
Many older Civilizations across South America are united by the Inca
Inca – 1350 - 1530
MesoAmerican Civilization OriginsOlmec 1500 BCE – 200 CE
Geography
Yukatan Penninsula
located on the hot, humid coasts of the Gulf of Mexico
surrounded by rain forests, grasslands, and swamps
Olmec Politics
Called “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
Colossal Heads
Colossal Head #10 Basalt San Lorenzo
http://isis.csuhayward.edu/dbsw/anthropology/miller/3250/03olmec/aolmec2.html#PHOTO%20GALLERY:
Economic Life
most were farmers Social Class
based 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
Olmec Religion: Polytheist nature worship
shaman ruled, claimed to shape-change, control nature (rain, sun, crops), fly, killing enemies from a distance, and bear off-spring even though they are men.
Jaguars seen as magical animals and shamen claimed to shape shift into them
foundation of later Maya civilization.
Shaman as jaguar carrying his spirit
Riding Crocodiles in the Spirit world
Social Life Typical of Agricultural Society
Men:plowed and planted
fieldstended to the cropshunted and fished
Women/Older girlshousekeeping choresmaking clothessupplying the home with firewood and watercaring for younger children
Childrenlearned about farming and housekeeping chores
Intellectual Life Maize Domesticated
3000BCE Major staplecrop in
Mesoamerica Also domesticated
cotton, cacao, feathers, pelts, woods, rubber
Intellectual life
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 Mayans
Maize Ceremonial centers with
temple pyramids Calendar based on the
Olmec one Ball games Rituals involving human
sacrifice
Olmec, La Venta, cone pyramid