Chapter 7 Peoples and Civilizations of the Americas, 1200 B. C. E Chapter 7 Peoples and Civilizations of the Americas, 1200 B.C.E.-1400 C.E.
Maya Scribe Maya Scribe. Maya scribes used a complex writing system to record religious concepts and memorialize the actions of their kings. An artisan painted this picture of a scribe on a ceramic plate. p190
First Civilizations of the Americas: The Olmec and Chavin, 1200-250 B First Civilizations of the Americas: The Olmec and Chavin, 1200-250 B.C.E. The Mesoamerican Olmec, 1200-400 B.C.E. most significant pre-classic society Kingship and architecture Early South American Civilization: Chavin, 900-250 B.C.E. Military strength Labor organization
Chronology from 5000 B.C.E.-1500 C.E. Empty cell Mesoamerica Northern Peoples Andean Region Before 5000 B.C.E. Domestication of maize, beans, and squash Empty cell Before 5000 B.C.E. Domestication of potato, quinoa, manioc, and llama 5000 B.C.E. Before 2000 B.C.E. Early urbanization Before 2000 B.C.E. Domestication of squash and seed crops like sunflower Before 2000 B.C.E. Urbanization 2000 B.C.E. 1200 B.C.E. Beginning of Olmec civilization 2000 B.C.E. Metallurgy; domestication of sweet potato 1000 B.C.E. 900 B.C.E. Beginning of Chavin civilization 500 B.C.E. 400 B.C.E. End of Olmec civilization 200 B.C.E. End of Chavin civilization 100 C.E. 100 First stage of Teotihuacan temple complex 200 Maya early classic period begins 100-400 Hopewell culture in Ohio River Valley 200 Moche begin to dominate Peruvian coast 500 C.E. 450 Teotihuacan dominates central Mexico 750 Teotihuacan destroyed 800-900 Maya classic-era cities abandoned 968 Toltec capital of Tula founded 700 beginnings of Anasazi culture in Four Corners region 800 beginnings of Mississippian culture 500-1000 Tiwanaku and Wari control Andean highlands 700 End of Moche domination 900 Chimu begin to dominate Peruvian coast 1000 C.E. 1175 Tula destroyed 1050-1250 Cahokia reaches peak population 1150 Anasazi center of Pueblo Bonito abandoned; other Anasazi centers enter crisis after 1200 1500 C.E. Until 1300 Culhuacan and Cholula continue Toltec tradition 1470s End of Chimu domination Description of the table: A chronology of Mesoamerica, northern peoples and the Andean region from 5000 B.C.E to 1500 C.E. p193
Olmec and Chavín Civilizations Map 7.1: Olmec and Chavín Civilizations. The regions of Mesoamerica (most of modern Mexico and Central America) and the Andean highlands of South America have hosted impressive civilizations since early times. The civilizations of the Olmec and Chavín were the originating civilizations of these two regions, providing the foundations of architecture, city planning, and religion. © Cengage Learning Map 7.1 p194
Olmec Head Olmec Head. Giant heads sculpted from basalt are a widely recognized legacy of Olmec culture. Sixteen heads have been found, the largest approximately 11 feet (3.4 meters) tall. Experts in Olmec archaeology believe the heads are portraits of individual rulers, warriors, or ballplayers. p195
Classic-Era Culture and Society in Mesoamerica, 200–900 Teotihuacan Agricultural and labor innovations Elite control and organization The Maya Association of city-states Agricultural productivity technology
The Temple of the Sun The Temple of the Sun. The temple of the sun in background is the largest pyramid in Tenochtitlan. The smaller temple of Quetzalcoatl in foreground displays the serpent images associated with this culture god common to most Mesoamerican civilizations. p197
Maya Civilization, 250–1400 C.E. Map 7.2: Maya Civilization, 250–1400 C.E. The Maya never created an integrated and unified state. Instead Maya civilization developed as a complex network of independent city-states. © Cengage Learning Map 7.2 p198
The Great Plaza at Tikal The Great Plaza at Tikal. The impressive architectural and artistic achievements of the classic-era Maya are still visible in the ruins of Tikal, in modern Guatemala. Maya centers provided a dramatic setting for the rituals that dominated public life. Construction of Tikal began before 150 B.C.E.; the city was abandoned about 900 C.E. A ball court and residences for the elite were part of the Great Plaza. p199
The Mesoamerican Ball Game The Mesoamerican Ball Game. From Guatemala to Arizona, archaeologists have found evidence of an ancient ball game played with a solid rubber ball on slope-sided courts shaped like a capital T. Among the Maya the game was associated with a creation myth and thus had deep religious meaning. Evidence suggests that some players were sacrificed. In this scene from a ceramic jar, players wearing elaborate ritual clothing—which includes heavy, protective pads around the chest and waist—play with a ball much larger than the ball actually used in such games. Some representations show balls drawn to suggest a human head. p200
The Postclassic Period in Mesoamerica, 900–1300 The Toltecs Conquest state Cholula
Postclassic Mesoamerica Map 7.3: Postclassic Mesoamerica. From their capital, Tula, the Toltecs exercised political and cultural influence across a vast region. © Cengage Learning Map 7.3 p202
Tula Tula. The capital of the Toltecs was dominated by massive public architecture like these carved stone figures. p203
Northern Peoples Southwestern Desert Cultures Hohokam Anasazi Mound Builders: The Hopewell and Mississippian Cultures Hereditary chiefdoms Mound building Cahokia
Culture Areas of North America Map 7.4: Culture Areas of North America. In each of the large ecological regions of North America, native peoples evolved distinctive cultures and technologies. Here the Anasazi of the arid southwest and the mound-building cultures of the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys are highlighted. © Cengage Learning Map 7.4 p205
Mesa Verde Cliff Dwelling Mesa Verde Cliff Dwelling. Located in southern Colorado, the Anasazi cliff dwellings of the Mesa Verde region hosted a population of about 7,000 in 1250 C.E. The construction of housing complexes and religious buildings in the area’s large caves was prompted by increased warfare in the region. p206
Andean Civilizations, 200–1400 Cultural Response to Environmental Challenge Altitude, plains and the Amazon Four major ecological zones Labor: the clan (ayllu) and mit’a Moche Tiwanaku and Wari Chimú
Andean Civilizations, 200 B.C.E.–1532 C.E. Map 7.5: Andean Civilizations, 200 B.C.E.–1532 C.E. In response to these difficult environmental challenges, Andean peoples evolved complex social and technological adaptations. Irrigation systems, the domestication of the llama, metallurgy, and shared labor obligations helped provide a firm economic foundation for powerful, centralized states. © Cengage Learning Map 7.5 p208
Moche Warrior Moche Warrior. The Moche of ancient Peru were among the most accomplished ceramic artists of the Americas. Moche potters produced representations of gods and spirits, scenes of daily life, and portrait vases of important people. This warrior is armed with a mace, shield, and protective helmet. The Trustees of the British Museum/Art Resource, NY p209
Burials Reveal Ancient Civilizations Burials Reveal Ancient Civilizations. Buried around 300 C.E., this Moche warrior-priest was buried amid rich tribute at Sipán in Peru. Also buried were the bodies of retainers or kinsmen probably sacrificed to accompany this powerful man. The body lies with the head on the right and the feet on the left. p210
Burials Reveal Ancient Civilizations (continued) Burials Reveal Ancient Civilizations. Similarly, the burial of a member of the Maya elite at Río Azul in northern Guatemala indicates the care taken to surround the powerful with fine ceramics, jewelry, and other valuable goods. p210
The Ritual Center of Tiwanaku The Ritual Center of Tiwanaku. During the Middle Horizon period Tiwanaku was one of the most impressive cities in the Andean region. The ritual center was characterized by beautiful stone construction, sunken plazas, and by large carved stone representations of the gods. p211
Maya Glyphs Maya Glyphs. The Maya developed a sophisticated written language expressed in stylized images (glyphs) conceptually similar to Egyptian hieroglyphics. p212