MesoAmerica

MesoAmerica

Theories of where they came from:First Americans originated in the Gobi DesertSome migrated to Siberia around 15,000 years agoCrossed the Bering Strait in AlaskaLand bridge probably existed at the timeGradually dispersedThroughout North andSouth America

Newest TheoriesAncestors of modern native Americans originated in EuropeIce Age extended shorelines of North America, Europe and Greenland far into the Atlantic OceanPrehistoric people traveled along the shoreline hunting and crossed over-Settled here and gradually dispersed throughout the hemisphere.Emergence of Indian CivilizationIndians developed different cultures depending on the ecology of the region where they settled.Some developed true civilizationsThose in Southern Mexico, Northern Central America, and the Andes Mountains in Peru.

Olmec CivilizationAppeared around 1200 B.C.In Swampy region along the Gulf of Mexico near modern-day VeraCruzNot in a river valley3 major cities:San Lorenzo, La Venta, and Trees Zapotes

Olmec Civilization

Olmec AchievementsOlmec society was made up of farmers and a small elite.Talented engineers and architectsBuilt underground sewer system at San LorenzoBuilt pyramids and palaces from stoneAlso carved giant stone headsLargest is 9 feet tall and weighs 15 tonsNo one knows their exact function*Also developed a writing system and a System to record calendar dates.

Olmec ReligionPolytheisticMost important god portrayed as half man/half jaguarBelieved that certain people could turn into jaguars at will ( a variation of the werewolf myth).Stone Head- Made of Basalt

TeotihuacanOlmec civilization faded around 900 B.C.Later influenced other civilizations

TEOTIHUACAN200-700 ADGiant city containing 200,000 peopleTwo giant pyramidsPyramid of the SunPyramid of the Moon

MayansLocated in Yucatan, Honduras and Guatemala300-900 ADSophisticated agricultureTwo- three harvests a yearSupported population of 2 million people

Divided into a number of small statesNever a single united stateMayan CitiesSemi-urban peopleBuilt huge ceremonial centers that resembled cities

Contained pyramids, wide streetsOnly used during religious celebrations

Most Mayans lived in small villages that surrounded the centers

Mayan ReligionComplexPolytheisticChief god was ItzamnaCreator of human beings and inventor of art and scienceCountless other gods below himOffered human sacrifices to the gods in times of drought

Heaven and hell-13 levels of heaven9 levels of hellMayan God

Mayan AchievementsSophisticated MathematicsUnderstood concept of zeroDeveloped place-value systemDeveloped elaborate but accurate calendarLiterate, but little of their writing survives

Collapse of Mayan StatesMayan states collapsed around 900 AD-perhaps due to natural catastropheMaya Farming methods may have worn out the soil.Warfare between Maya city-statesPeasants revolted and overthrew the nobles and priestsLeft behind impressive ruins, achievements in sciences, and languageToltecsMoved around southern Mexico from north around time of Mayan collapseTook over and expanded Mayan centersBuilt capital city of Tula using Mayan architecture and construction techniques.

More on ToltecsDeveloped impressive metal-working industry- specialized in jewelry.

Established trade network which stretched into northern South America

Civilization flourished for around 100 yearsEmpire eventually fragmented into small states, constantly fighting among themselvesThe Aztecs ArriveAlso known as Mexicas

Originally a nomadic tribe from the northLooking for a Promised LandFound it in 1325 Ad on island in middle of Lake Tecoco in Central MexicoBuilt capital city on island-TenochtitlanAztecsRich mud of island home ideally suited for agricultureProduced abundant cropsStandard of living increased dramatically

Were in high demand as mercenaries in wars between post-Toltec states

Rose rapidly-Stepped into power vacuum and took over much of central and coastal Mexico and North Central America

TenochtitlanGrew wealthy from Tribute(tax) from conquered territoryTurned city into magnificent place-Canals served as arteries of transportationAqueduct system for fresh water and sophisticated waste removal systemHuge temples and palacesBrightly colored art

Tenochtitlan

Aztec ReligionTwo sets of gods-Nature gods-Worshipped by farmersHad shape of the item the god controlled

Great gods of state-Usually portrayed themselves as half human/half animal or as a monsterChief god was HuitzilopochtliGod of the sun

Quetzacoatal

Human SacrificeBelieved that the world has passes through 4 previous stages-Each one destroyed by catastrophe

To prevent destruction of fifth sun, the sun god had to be appeasedBy feeding him human heartsAztecs therefore sacrificed victims by ripping out their hearts and holding them up for the Sun God to symbolically eat.Human sacrifice

How often did they do it?The Spanish claimed that sacrifice was performed on a daily basis and that thousands were sacrificed on religious holidays.

Many say the Spanish exaggerated the number of sacrifices to justify their conquest and destruction of the Aztec civilizationEnd of the AztecsSpanish conquistador, Hernando Cortez, destroyed the Aztec civilization in 1519.Very tragic actWiped out a rich and vigorous cultureEnormous lossIncaRose to power in the 15th century through strong armiesa 6+ million populationDeveloped an Incan language- QuechuaMore than 7 million people speak it today.

Had an emperor ruling class with nobility (dynasty)The empire was divide into 4 quartersThe center was CUZCO, the capital

More on the IncansSpending through taxes ( taxes were collected at different rates)Men could be called into the militaryA public works labor

Awesome communication systemEmpire was thousands of miles longTwo main highways (coastal and highland)Used relay runners to transport messagesCould run 150 miles per dayIncan ArchitectureMasters in architectureUsed masonry construction to produce palaces, temples, fortressStill standing today

Machu PicchuConsists of civic and domesticated buildingsFields were created on steep slopes

Conquered by the SpaniardsMachu Picchu