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