The America’s A separate world Stearns et al.; World Civilizations, The Global Experience, AP edition 5th edition Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Long Man, Copyright 2007

Time Line of the Americas 7000 BCE Agriculture begins in Central Mexico 1200 BCE Olmec Civilization emerges in Southeast Mexico. 900 BCE Chavín culture arises in Peru 500 BCE Zapotecs build Monte Albán. 200 BCE Nazca civilization arises in southern Peru 100 CE Moche culture emerges

The Earliest Americans While civilizations were developing in Africa, Asia, and Europe they were also emerging in the Americas. First Americans survived mainly by hunting and over time they developed farming methods that provided more reliable food stores which lead to the earliest civilizations in the Americas. With the development of agriculture, society became more complex which created advanced civilizations. http://khelone.umd.edu/staff/glord/ouramericas/images/map.jpg

The Earliest Americans http://www.columbia.edu/~rlb7/jpegs/migrate.jpg The earliest Americans came from Asia over the land bridge known as Beringia. Some came by boat as well. The first Americans populated North and South America after the last Ice Age.

The Earliest Americans 7000 BCE a revolution developed in what is present day Central Mexico. Reliance on wild edible plants they begin to raise from seeds 5000 BCE many began to grow crops Squash, gourds, beans, avocados, and chilies 3400 BCE the most important crop was cultivated, maize

The Earliest Americans Gradually people settled in permanent villages in the Tehuacan Valley, present day Mexico City. These people raised corn and other crops. http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/troufs/anth3618/matehuac.html

Early Mesoamerican Civilizations Mesoamerica is an area that stretches from central Mexico to northern Honduras. This was the area that the first complex societies in the Americas arose. http://www.mesoamericas.com/maps/MesoAmericasMap_Main.jpg

Olmec Civilization Building of clay pyramids and temple mounds Characteristics of the Society 1200 BCE- Olmec was America’s first known civilization builders. Located in the jungles of Southern Mexico The Olmec influenced neighboring groups and later civilizations of the region therefore they are considered a “mother culture”. Building of clay pyramids and temple mounds Particular sculptural style weeping or snarling jaguar/human infant were-jaguar colossal heads basalt monuments Fine jade carving

Olmec Civilization Colossal Heads http://www.puppstheories.com/forum/images/olmecsGiantHead.jpg

Olmec Civilization- La Venta At La Venta researchers discovered a 100 foot high mound of clay. It was the tomb of the great Olmec ruler Site is known as the Great Pyramid- may have served as a religious center. Many researchers believe the Olmec worshipped the jaguar spirit due to the many sculptures depicting the jaguar. http://rllewellyn.net/academic/FantArch/photos/la_venta.jpg

Olmec Olmec appear to have been a prosperous people who directed a large trading network throughout Mesoamerica. They traveled as far as Mexico City trading in raw materials (iron ore and various stones) For unknown reasons, Olmec civilization eventually collapsed. Scientist believe San Lorenzo was destroyed around 900 BCE La Venta may have fallen 400 BCE

Zapotec Civilization http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/archaeology/sites/meso_america/montealban.html Zapotec civilization developed after the Olmec civilization in the southwest Mexican state of Oaxaca.

Zapotec Civilization Zapotec lived in scattered villages . 1000 BCE- San Jose Mogote was the emerging main power. Zapotec constructed stone platforms. They built monumental sculptures, early forms of writing and a calendar. http://www.ancientscripts.com/images/zapotec_days.gif

Zapotec Civilization 500 BCE- Zapotec civilization took a great leap forward. They built the first urban center in the Americas, Monte Alban. It was the home of 15,000 people. Monte Alban had paved roads, pyramids, and plaza. They also had an observatory. It is unknown about how the civilization declined. http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/archaeology/sites/meso_america/montealban.html

Early Civilizations of the Andes Andean civilizations developed independently in South America

Early Civilizations of the Andes Andes Mountains stretch 4500 miles down the western edge of South America from Columbia in the north to Chile in the south. South America’s first civilizations emerged in the northern Andes region, in Peru.

Early Civilizations of the Andes Peru was a harsh place to develop a civilization. Steep rocky soil 3600-2500 BCE people began to establish villages along the Pacific coast. First inhabitants were hunter gatherers who relied on seasonal game for survival 3000 BCE they begin to farm 1800 BCE a number of communities begin to thrive.

Early Civilizations of the Andes Chavin Period lasted 900 BCE- 200 BCE This was the first influential civilization in South America in the mountains. Chavin culture spread quickly across much of northern and central Peru. Chavin culture was a primarily religious civilization. The sculptures, stones carvings, pottery and textiles shows the powerful influence of the Chavin culture The Chavin are believed to established certain patterns that helped unify Andean culture and lay the foundation for later civilizations in Peru. (mother culture)

Early Civilization of the Andes Around the time of the Chavin declined other civilizations were emerging in Peru. Nazca Moche http://anthropologynet.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/nazca-pottery.jpg http://broadwoodwidger.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/z5.jpg

Early Civilizations of the Andes The Nazca culture flourished along the coast of Peru from 200 BCE-600 CE. This area is extremely dry The Nazca developed extensive irrigation systems including underground canals that allowed them to farm land. The Nazca are known for their beautiful textiles and pottery. Both are features of animals and mythological beings They are also known for their extraordinary creations, the Nazca Lines.

Nazca Lines http://www.zmescience.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/nazca.jpg

Moche Culture Moche culture was located on the northern coast of Peru. Civilization lasted 100 CE-700 CE The Moche took advantage of the rivers that flowed from the Andes Mountains. They built impressive irrigation systems to water crops such as: Corn, beans, potatoes, squash, and peanuts. Tombs uncovered revealed that the Moche were a wealthy civilization.

Moche Culture Moche created jewelry made from gold, silver, and semi-precious stones. They were also brilliant ceramic artist. Pottery depicted scenes from everyday life, doctors healing patients, women weaving cloth, musicians playing instruments, and fierce soldiers armed with spears. Although the Moche never developed a written language, their pottery provides a wealth of detail about their everyday life. There is not a known reason for why the Moche civilization declined.

Comparing Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas You have a number on your desk. This represents the group you will be in. (do not change your number I know who is in what group…)