Early American Civilizations MAYA INCA 250BC 900AD 1438-1535AD 1200BC 200BC 1200AD 1521AD OLMEC AZTEC

Olmec 1200-200 BC Location Jungles of southern Mexico Rain

Olmec 1200-200 BC Government City-states ruled by a chief Large stone carvings left by the Olmec are believed to be images of their rulers

Olmec 1200-200 BC Economy Slash and burn agriculture Flood plain agriculture Large trade network throughout Mesoamerica

Olmec 1200-200 BC Religion & Society Polytheistic (nature gods) worship of Jaguar Earth mounds indicate buildings Elite ruling class

Olmec 1200-200 BC RISE FALL Trade Access to raw materials (iron ore, stones, salt, tar, clay, wood, rubber) Rivers (floods created rich farmland) Reasons not fully understood Outside invaders? Olmec destroyed own monuments upon death of rules?

Maya 250 BC-900 AD Location Southern Mexico, Guatemala, & northern Honduras/El Salvador

Maya 250 BC-900 AD Government Independent, urban city-states Cities served as the center for religious ceremonies & trade Theocracy (ruled by god-king) Dynasties

Maya 250 BC-900 AD Economy Exchange in salt, flint, feathers, shells, honey, cotton, jade No uniform currency (cacao, or chocolate beans, often used) Slash-and-burn agriculture and terraced agriculture produced miaze (corn), beans, squash

Maya 250 BC-900 AD Society King Nobles (Priests & Warriors) Merchants & Artisans Peasants

Maya 250 BC-900 AD Religion polytheistic Gods were good and evil Religious offerings (food, animals, human blood) Cutting and piercing were religious rituals Some human sacrifice practiced to keep the world in balance

Maya 250 BC-900 AD RISE FALL Unified culture Loyalty to the political & religious ruler Trade Successful agriculture led to food production & increasing population Too many resources used for religious activities Increased warfare disrupted trade & produced economic problems Over-farming damaged the environment, leading to food shortage, famine, & disease

Mayan Ruins at Tulum (south of Cancun, Mexico) Designed to maximize light during the winter & summer Mayan Temple