Topic: Mayan Farming, Geography, and City States Unit: Early Americas

Essential Question What influence did geography have on the development of Mesoamerican societies?

The Maya

Geography of Mesoamerica Rain forests The region’s volcanoes Fertile mountains, valleys, rivers, and warm climate

Farming and Settlement Farming allowed By 3500 BC maize was grown. Surplus food

The Olmec First complex civilization in Mesoamerica from 1200 BC to 400 BC. Writing Scientific study Sculptures of rulers and gods. calendar Villages and towns Accomplishments influenced later Mesoamerican cultures.

Chavin Chavin 900 – 200 BC Located in South America in the Andes Mountain range. Population By 2,000 BC they grew

Geography of the Mayans Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico) and into Central America (including Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras) Highlands harder to farm mined valuable jade and obsidian Lowlands advantages challenges

Used wood, vines, and mud to build homes. Not much usable land. A. Pros and Cons Good land for farming. Plenty of water. Used wood, vines, and mud to build homes. Not much usable land. Sometimes floods! Little open space. Dangerous animals. Difficult transportation.

Think about it! Agricultural Challenge! How could you clear land to farm in dense forest? How do you farm on a hill?

Problem

Solution Problem

Solution Problem

Adaptations Adapt means to change your environment to better suit your needs. The Mayans adapted by using “milpa” Crop rotation Terracing

Crops Maize It had religious, social, and economic value. The creation story Other plants were grown for: Cocao beans

Mayan Cities Civilization between 250-900 AD 40 Cities of 5,000-50,000 people each Farming, Trade, & War

Trade=Growth Trade was essential Lowlands cotton rubber trees cacao (kuh-kow) Highlands Jade Obsidian - Larger populations - village growth

City-States - Why? - Each had its own gov’t & king - never united - Structures - Honoring Mayan Kings - Pacal - decorations - public plazas - canals

Arenas Stone “El juego de Pelota” Similar to racquetball Sacrifice

Warfare City-States power & land Tikal vs. Calakmul - Intense & Bloody - P.O.W’s -Result on population -Result on land

Essential Answer Example: Geography affected the development of Mesoamerican societies in several ways. For example, Mesoamerican societies made adaptations to their environment, such as terracing and slash and burn to make farmland more usable.