2. Olmec earliest known people in Mexico Large group of farmers Corn – main crop No animals for meat Built temples, pyramids, huge statues Traded jade and obsidian Ancient ballgame – losers sacrificed to gods Highly advanced – carved stone heads 40 tons and carried from 50 miles away
3. Maya Guatemala, Honduras, and Yucatan Peninsula Some deep in rainforest Terraced hillsides to farm and raised fields in swampy areas Canals ran through fields Corn – most important crop Pyramid in center of city – worshipped gods there Villages densely populated Study the stars – pyramids and buildings 365 day calendar Complete writing system – hieroglyphics Counting system – 0, 1, 5 Offered human blood to gods to make them happy Show dedication – pull thorns through hole in tongue Pok-ta-tok - ancient ballgame – used leather padded hips/elbows to hit 5 lb. ball through mounted hoop (30ft) Civilization fell apart – war, famine, disease? Did not die out - ancestors still around
4. Inca Andes Mountains along SA coast Machu Picchu – most preserved city Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Bolivia People of the Sun Buildings made to survive earthquakes Terraced farming Spoke different languages – mountains separated Started schools to bring people together and to teach one language No writing – used quipu (KEE POOS)– knots on string Wore ponchos/brightly colored clothing Made 14,000 miles of roads Runners – messengers – relay style, 250miles a day, and unified empire
5. Aztec Group of warriors invaded Central Mexico Legend – eagle with snake on cactus Tenochtitlan – capital 200,000 population Island in lake Chinampas – raised fields Corn, beans, and peppers / flowers Calendars and math Upper class – drink chocolate, eat meat Poor – special occasion – eat dog meat Military is big – power, glory, and wealth Doctors -1,000 medicines from plants – lower fever, stomchaches, wounds Women (weave) inferior to men (school) Harsh and strict laws and punishment Conquered others Taxes, slaves, sacrifices, learn skills People feared and hated
6. Spanish Conquest Cortes – Spanish soldier 1519 1521 conquered Aztecs and others Called New Spain Natives became slaves – mined gold/silver and farmed Roman Catholic priest converted - some forced Dogs of War Muskets and horses Natives thought they were gods Disease – natives had no resistance and caused epidemic (widespread disease) Smallpox Whole cultures disappeared Less than 100 years – controlled almost all of CA/SA
