Chapter 1 Section 2 Cities and Empires in Ancient America Found in Seventh Grade g-drive SS - Ch. 1 Dotson

Civilization = A highly developed society ** Raise your hand and share examples of things that we would find in civilized societies. Long before the arrival of Europeans in the early 1500’s, several great civilizations arose in present day Mexico and in Central and South America.

Among the largest and most advanced of these early civilizations were: These civilizations built enormous cities in thick jungles and on mountaintops that were hard to reach. They also developed complex systems for writing , counting and tracking time. Among the largest and most advanced of these early civilizations were: The Olmec The Maya The Aztec The Inca

The Olmec flourished between 1500 B. C. and 300 B. C The Olmec flourished between 1500 B.C. and 300 B.C. along the Gulf Coast of what is now Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. They are sometimes considered “The Mother of all other Ancient Cultures in America!”

The Olmec Civilization

Their civilization had strong influences on surrounding communities. Olmec farmers produced enough food to sustain cities with thousands of people. The Olmec workers sculpted large stone monuments and built stone pavements and drainage systems. Their civilization had strong influences on surrounding communities.

The Maya

Mexico Honduras Guatemala Belize The Maya built their civilization in the steamy rain forest of present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Belize. Mexico Honduras Guatemala Belize

Please open your textbooks up to pages 23 and 24. You will have 15 minutes to read these two pages about the Mayan culture and then fill in the notes outline provided for you by your teacher.

The Mayan Culture Name____________________ Mayan Cities 1. Pyramids in the cities 2. Mayan Religious Beliefs Mayans as astronomers Writing in the Mayan Culture Mayan Land Transportation 1. 2. Mayan Trade 3. Theories of why the Mayan Culture declined between 900 A.D. and 1100 A.D.

The Mayan Culture Name____________________ Mayan Cities 1. Large cities! Each one had at least one pyramid. Pyramids in the cities 1. Some pyramids reached about 200 ft. There were steps that led to a temple at the top. 2. The temples were religious and governmental centers. Mayan Religious Beliefs They believed that the gods controlled everything that happened on earth. 2. Since priests knew the god’s wishes – they held the power in Mayan society- called a theocracy. Mayans as astronomers 1. They needed to keep track of their religious festivals – so they began to track time by using the stars and sun. 2. They created a 365 day calendar using knowledge of the sun and stars. Writing in the Mayan Culture 1. Hieroglyphics – symbols to represent ideas and sounds Mayan Land Transportation Mayans did not have wheeled vehicles or horses. They carried everything on human backs. They created a network of roads carved out of the jungle. Mayan Trade Farmers traded maize and vegetables for cotton, cloth, pottery, deer meat and salt. 2. Some traded by water in canoes. 3. When trading by water, they traded jade statues, turquoises jewelry and cacao beans. Theories of why the Mayan Culture declined between 900 A.D. and 1100 A.D. 1. Slaves and farmers may have revolted against their Mayan masters. 2. The soil may have been over-used and food could no longer be produced.

The Aztec

They found an island in Lake Texcoco – part of Mexico City today. Centuries after the fall of the Maya, a group of hunters called the Aztec wandered through central Mexico, searching for a permanent home. They found an island in Lake Texcoco – part of Mexico City today.

Tenochitilan This was one of the greatest cities in the Americas. Its construction was a miracle of engineering and human labor Workers pulled soil from the bottom of Lake Texcoco to make causeways, or bridges of earth, linking the island to the shore.

The Aztec civilization grew into a MILITARY EMPIRE! They frequently conquered rival communities. The conquered people were forced to work as slaves in Aztec cities and villages.

Like the Maya, the Aztec organized their society around their religion. They believed in HUMAN SACRIFICES. It was believed that this kept the gods happy and in return they would have an abundant harvest! Thousands of prisoners of war were sacrificed.

The Inca

The Inca developed their civilization in the western highlands of South America around 1200 A.D.

At its height, the Inca Empire had a population of more than nine million, including many conquered peoples. To control this large empire, the Inca built at least 10,000 miles of stone-paved roads that ran over mountains, across deserts, and through jungles.

Although mountainous land is not well suited for farming, the Inca devised ways to produce a steady supply of food. They cut terraces into steep slopes so they could plant crops. Inca farmers grew: maize, squash, tomatoes, peanuts, chili peppers, melons, cotton and potatoes.

These Cultures Traveled The Influence of These Cultures Traveled Up Into North America The next topic we will learn about is how the Native Americans of North America lived…….