The document provides information about early Mesoamerican civilizations including the Olmec, Zapotec, Maya, and Aztec societies. It describes key aspects of these civilizations like their locations, time periods, social hierarchies, religious practices including human sacrifice, advanced achievements in mathematics, calendars and architecture, and theories for factors in their declines.

1. ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS:THE AMERICASSOCIAL SCIENCE III

2. ROUTINEINTRODUCTIONLECTUREWRAP-UPASSIGNMENT

3. SIR ERIN DE LA CRUZNickname: Erin/ BorloInterests: history, art, romance stories, traveling, classical music, and gamefowl breeding.Dream: “Travel around the world and appreciate the beauty of places, peoples, and cultures.

4. CIVILIZATIONAdvanced citiesCenters of tradeSpecialized workersEx. priests, weavers, metalworkers, merchants, scribes, government officialsComplex institutionsFormal governments, priests with religious and political powerRecord KeepingEx. cuneiform tabletsAdvanced TechnologyEx. wheel, plow, sailboat, bronze weapons

5. Early Mesoamerican Civilizations

6. Early Mesoamerican CivilizationsMESOAMERICA – Central Mexico to the northern part of Honduras.OLMECZAPOTEC

7. OLMECFirst known civilization builders in the Americas.Known to be the MOTHER CULTUREFlourished from 1200BC to 400BC along the GULF COAST OF MEXICO (modern day Veracruz and Tabasco).

9. Veracruz y TabascoThick ForestsHot, humidSevere floodingSalt, tar, and clayWood and rubberStonesRiversFertile land

10. OLMECSAN LORENZOLA VENTAGREAT PYRAMIDArtifacts – that led to a conclusion that the Olmec prayed a variety of Nature Gods.JAGUAR WORSHIPHome to a small ruling class of priests and noblesEarthen mounds, courtyards, and pyramidsLarge stone monuments, sculpted heads

11. JAGUAR WORSHIP

12. Interesting Fact:Villagers in Acatlan, Mexico put on jaguar masks and stage mock combats and dances in the hope that the jaguar will shed its own blood in the form of rain, to water the fields.

14. Decline of the OlmecOutside villagers caused the destruction.San Lorenzo destroyed around 900 BCLa Venta fallen around 400 BC.

15. MAYA Centered in the tropical lowlands of what is now Guatemala.Golden Age: 6th Century ADExcelled at agriculture, pottery, hieroglyph, writing, calendar making, and mathematicsImpressive architecture and symbolic artwork

17. Mayan CivilizationEARLY MAYANSAgricultural (corn, beans, squash, cassava)Derived a number of religious and cultural traits from the OlmecNumber system, calendar, pyramid, city construction, inscribing of stone monumentsCities of Stones (Classic Maya)The Golden Age of the Maya Empire40 cities including Tikal, Copan, Uaxactun, Bonampak, Dos Pilas, Calakmul, Palenque, Rio Bec.Plazas, palaces, temples, pyramids.Playing the ball games that were ritually and politically significant to Maya cultureSlash and burnWorshipped various gods related to nature.

18. MAYA SOCIETYKINGS (kuhulajaw/ holy lords)Claim: related to the godsFollowed a hereditary successionThought as mediators between the gods and the people on earth. Performed elaborate religious ceremonies and rituals so important to the Mayan culture.

19. GREAT ARTISTS (and thinkers) OF MESOAMERICATemples and palaces in a stepped pyramid shape.Made significant advances in mathematics and astronomy, including the use of zero and the development of a complex calendar system based on 365 days.

25. MYSTERIOUS DECLINEEnd of the 9th century- mysterious thing happened in Mayan Civilization. One by one classic cities were abandoned.Exhausted the environmentConstant warfaredrought

26. Beginnings of the Aztec EmpireValley of MexicoSite of the greatest empire of Mesoamerica (Aztec).Had several large, shallow lakes at its centerAccessible resourcesFertile soilTEOTIHUACANTOLTECS

28. TEOTIHUACANKnown as the City of the Gods.First major civilization in Central Mexico.In 6th century AD, population grew to as many as 125,000 people.Pyramid of the SunCenter of a thriving tradeObsidian – hard, glassy green or black rock used in making razor sharp weapons.

29. Did TeotihuacansConquer its neighbors – Try to create an empire –Influence Mesoamerica with its art styles and religious beliefs-

30. TOLTECS TAKE OVERRuled over Central Mexico. Made TULA its capital.Built pyramids and temples and carved tall pillars in the shape of armed warriors.Opposite of Teotihuacan.EXTREMELY WARLIKE PEOPLEWorshipped a fierce War God who demanded blood and human sacrifice from his followers.

31. Topiltzin and QuetzalcoatlTopiltzin- King of PeaceQuetzalcoatl- The Feathered Serpent known as the God of Peace.

32. AZTECSAztecs arrived in Central Mexico in 1200s.They were formerly known as MEXICA from the deserts of North Mexico.Once soldiers for hire to local rulers.

33. HUITZILOPOCHTLI (“,)Aztec Sun GodTold Aztecs to found a city of their own.They must “look for a place where an eagle perched on a cactus, holding a snake in its mouth.”Were they able to find one?

34. HUITZILOPOCHTLI (“,)Aztec Sun GodTold Aztecs to found a city of their own.They must “look for a place where an eagle perched on a cactus, holding a snake in its mouth.”Were they able to find one?

35. AZTECSFormed alliances (city-states merging together like Texcoco and Tlacopan)Power was based on MILITARY CONQUESTS and TRIBUTE from conquered people.Let local rulers govern their own regions.Tribute: GOLD, MAIZE, CACAO, COTTON, JADEWhat if they fail to give tributes?

36. AZTEC SOCIETYEMPERORNOBLESCOMMONERSSLAVES

37. TENOCHTITLAN1500s it became an extraordinary urban center.Palaces, temples, markets, and residential districts were connected by streets and avenues.Canals divided the city.Aqueducts funneled freshwater in from the mainland.GREAT TEMPLE – main structure in the center of Tenochtitlan. Aztec’s religious center.

38. AZTEC RELIGIONReligion played a vital role in Aztec SocietyDesigned elaborate public ceremonies to communicate and win the favors of the Gods (ex. Dramas, songs, dances)HUMAN SACRIFICE FOR THE SUN GOD.

39. MONTEZUMA and AZTEC DECLINEUnder Montezuma II, Aztec began to weakenHe demanded more tribute and sacrifice.Tribute served as source of wealth and power.Tribute provided prisoners for religious sacrifice.

40. MESOAMERICA QUIZGive me 1 characteristic of a civilization.Peru is part of the Mesoamerican region. Yes or no?This Mesoamerican society flourished around Veracruz and Tabasco around 1200BC.This society worshipped an animal that was perceived to be their God of Rain. What’s that animal?Are Tikal, Palenque, and Chichen Itza part of the classic city-states of the Mayan civilization? Yes or no?

41. 6. Did the Mayans create the first complex calendar system which was based on 365 days? Yes or no?7. Give me 1 possible theory that caused the decline of the Mayan civilization.8. They were the first major civilization in Central Mexico.9. They were extremely warlike people and worshipped a fierce War God who demanded blood and human sacrifice from his followers.10. Aztecs were formerly called as?

42. 11. Quetzalcoatl was the Aztecs’s Sun God. Yes or no?12. Huitzilopochtli was the Aztecs’s God of Peace. Yes or no?13. Give me 1 group of people which comprises the Aztec nobility.14. Did the Aztecs reach the Golden Age under the reign of Montezuma II? Yes or no?15. Name this place that was built on the Lake Texcoco by the Aztecs.