The document summarizes the major Mesoamerican civilizations that flourished between 1200 BCE to the 16th century CE. It discusses the Olmec as the first major civilization, followed by the rise of Teotihuacan as a center of trade and urban growth. The Maya are described as having a complex calendar system, hieroglyphic writing, and women playing important roles. It also covers the Toltecs who created the first conquest state based in Tula and brought metalworking to Mesoamerica.

2. • First major
Mesoamerican
civilization
• Flourished between
1200 – 400 BCE
• Archaeology suggests
urban areas and long-
distance trade with
merchant class
• Little known of political
structure – probably
form of monarchy

3. • Known for large stone
carved heads
• Olmec were
polytheistic
• Likely originators of
ball game that
became ceremonial
rite
• Practiced human
sacrifice

5. • Classical period
• City-state
• Pyramids dedicated to
numerous gods – main
gods Sun and Moon
• Rapid growth of urban
areas due to forced
relocation of farmers
• Use of Chinampas – Teotihuacan today
“floating gardens”

6. • Rule by powerful
aristocratic families
• Military used to
protect long-distance
trade and force
transfer of food
surplus to the city
• Decline possibly due
to nomadic invasions
and/or civil war

7. • Collection of rival city-
states
• Monumental architecture
– pyramids
• Rulers and elite society
served both political and
religious roles
• Warfare had religious
meaning
• Warfare used primarily to
attain captives not
territory
• Elite captives sacrificed –
lower captives enslaved

8. • Maya women played
important political and
religious roles
• Complex calendar system
–ritual cycle and solar
• Hieroglyphic writing
• Reasons for decline
unknown: possibly
Mayan calendar
environmental crises,
war, disease

10. Maya at war Maya ritualistic ballgame

11. • Toltecs created the first
conquest state
• Capital at Tula
• More violent and
warlike than previous
peoples – seen through
artwork
• Monarchy ruled by two
kings
• Brought metal-working
to Mesoamerica
• Decline probably due to The Toltec
civil war between elites