Africa and Mesoamerica 2 6 Notes
Africa North Africa united under the Roman Empire Sub-Saharan Africa isolated until the development of trade networks complex mix of cultures with different languages
Africa The Bantu (2000-1500 BCE)—ethnic group that migrated from equatorial to southern Africa govt: monarchies; social classes organized on kinship, gender, and age trade: camel domestication opened trans-Saharan and Indian Ocean trade networks, salt traded for gold, palm oil achievements: 300 distinct languages, oral traditions, iron metallurgy, farming techniques
Teotihuacan Teotihuacan (150 BCE – 700s CE)— Central American city-state, “birthplace of the gods,” near modern Mexico City, one of the largest cities of its time city layout on a grid, multi-story apt buildings, hinterlands worked by peasant farmers
Teotihuacan religion: pyramids for the sun, moon, god Quetzalcoatl, connected by Avenue of the Dead trade: obsidian, leather, pottery, weapons decline: fire, civil war
The Maya Maya (1500 BCE – 900 CE)—Central America civilization with ~40 city-states; in modern Mexico and Central America city-states fought to win tribute and POWs; no standing armies slash and burn agriculture and terrace farming the Three Sisters (corn, beans, squash); no domesticated animals, wheels, metal tools
The Maya achievements: astronomy, calculated phases of the moon, number zero, hieroglyphics, Olmec ball game (pitz) women: two women rulers, goddesses, priestesses religion: polytheistic, kings = gods, step pyramids, human sacrifice decline: destruction of forests, civil wars
(Caracol at Chichen Itza)
The Moche Moche (200 BCE-700 CE)—South American civilization in modern Peru Cities centered around adobe brick step pyramids (Huaca del Sol, Huaca de la Luna) llamas + irrigated fields corn, beans local trade: ceramic jars, jewelry, textiles (no large boats or wheeled vehicles)
The Moche ayllu—small communities believed to have descended from common ancestor god ancestor veneration, human sacrifice decline: drought and civil war