Early civilizations in Mesoamerica

Middle America or Mesoamerica Areas of Mexico and Central America where ancient empires flourished.

Olmec 1500 BC and 400 BC First known civilization in Mesoamerica (Discovered in 1940’s) Main god = Jaguar like Skilled artisans known for carving a series of over 10 ft. tall human heads without metal tools. Also build pyramids. Influenced the Mayan culture (calendar, numerical system, ceremonial game) Biggest city San Lorenzo and La Venta Declined: unknown

Mayas Developed in the Yucatan Peninsula Built cities in the jungle under hard conditions. 2 major Mayan cities are: Chichen Itza and Tikal. Chichen Itza was the most important political and religious center of the Mayan civilization. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyvw6G9Max0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJorTyIFnSY During the classic period of Mayan culture they were most successful. Built large buildings and pyramids with limited tools. Did not have wheel or metal Main crop was corn Use irrigation system to transport water Use the slash and burn technique for farming.

Mayan Social Structure Nobles – highest social class in Mayan society. Priest – important members in the Mayan society. Many went to special schools. Artist and merchants - where the artist and traders of the civilization. Free workers (peasants) – were given a piece of land to farm in exchange they gave back a portion of the crops to the ruler of the city. Slaves – lowest class. The Mayas took slaves and offered some of these slaves as human scarifies to the gods. People became slaves due to: Debt Committed a crime Lost war

The collapse of a culture The Mayan population is estimated to have been about two million. However ,for fewer people lived in the region by AD 900. Decline Theories: Mayas destroyed each other through war. An environmental crisis due to the abuse of the slash and burn techniques left them without any good land to farming.

Toltec AD 900 AD 1200 Invaders from the north. Warlike people Tula was their capital Made statues known as Atlantes Decline: the Aztecs conquered them and destroyed the city of Tula. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBH8DwBtl3M

Aztecs AD 1150 – AD 1521 Conquered the Toltec and destroyed Tula Settled and built a city in lake Texcoco because of a legend that says they need it to settle where they see an eagle perched on a Nopal cactus and eating a serpent. Their name the Tenochtitlan and it became the Capital of their Empire. Technotitlan: built on top of lake Texcoco. Had artificial lands where they planted their crop. City was connected to land by raised roads. Aztecs tried to keep the order of the Universe by making sacrifices to the sun. they believe the sun needed to feed of human blood and hearts. Quetzalcoatl = Main Aztec god (feather serpent)

Aztec decline In 1519, the Spaniards arrived in Technotitlan. Hernan Cortez was their leader. Two years later in 1521, the Spaniards destroyed the city of Tenochtitlan and Aztec Empire. They also destroyed many works of art and writings that went against the Christian religion. Mexico city, which is the capital of Mexico today, was built over the ruins of Tenochtitlan