Classical Era Variations Maya, Axum, and Andean Civilizations

Axum Civilization – A Christian Kingdom Axum was located in present-day Eritrea and northern Ethiopia Kingdom’s economic foundation was highly productive agriculture Plow-based farming (not reliant on hoe or digging stick like most of Africa) High production of cereal crops (wheat, barley, millet, teff) Substantial state emerged by about 50 c.e. Stimulated by Red Sea and Indian Ocean trade Commerce taxes were major source of state revenue

Capital city Axum (in the interior) was center of monumental building Huge stone obelisks (probably mark royal graves) Some over 100 feet tall Written language was influenced by South Arabian script Christianity arrived in fourth century c.e Axum King adopted Christianity about the time of Constantine Coptic Christianity is still the religion of half the region 4th-6th centuries C.E.: imperial expansion into Meroë (Southern Egypt) and Arabian Peninsula Reached gates of Mecca by 571 Decline followed soon after Environmental degradation: Soil exhaustion, erosion, deforestation Rise of Islam altered trade routes – less $$ Axum revived several centuries later, but further south

Mayan Civilization Maya language and folkways still survive among about 6 million people Maya ceremonial centers developed as early as 2000 b.c.e. in present-day Guatemala and Yucatan Classical phase of Maya civilization: 250–900 c.e. Developed advanced mathematics, calendars, writing system, and huge building projects (pyramids) Maya economy Large-scale human engineering (swamp drainage, terracing, water management system) Supported a substantial elite and artisan class

Rapid collapse in the century after a long-term drought began in 840 Political system of city-states and regional kingdoms was highly fragmented Frequent warfare; capture and sacrifice of prisoners Densely populated urban and ceremonial centers Ruled by “state shamans” who could mediate with divine No city-state ever succeeded in creating a unified empire Rapid collapse in the century after a long-term drought began in 840 Population dropped by at least 85 percent Elements of Maya culture survived, but not the great cities Possible reasons for the collapse: Extremely rapid population growth after 600 c.e. outstripped resources Political rivalries prevented a coordinated response to drought Warfare became more frequent

Andes Mountain Civilizations Most well-known civilization of the region was the Incas Central Peruvian coast was home to one of the First Civilizations: Norte Chico Classical era of Andean civilization is 1000 b.c.e.–1000 c.e. Chavin Numerous ceremonial centers uncovered, dating to 2000–1000 b.c.e. Around 900 b.c.e., Chavín de Huántar became focus of a religious movement Chavín de Huántar was in good location along trade routes Elaborate temple complex became pilgrimage location Did not become an empire and faded by 200 B.C.E.

Moche flourished between about 100 and 800 c.e. along 250 miles of Peru’s north coast agriculture based on complex irrigation system rule by warrior-priests some lived on top of huge pyramids Pyramid of the Sun was made of 143 million bricks human sacrifice superb craftsmanship of elite objects ecological disruption in sixth century c.e. undermined the civilization