Classical-Era Culture and Society in Mesoamerica, 600 - 900 Chapter 11 (p. 270 - 274)

Classical-Era Culture and Society in Mesoamerica In Mesoamerica, there was no political centralization, but there were similar cultures, religions, social structures, etc. Agricultural techniques were very old, but highly effective (ex. Irrigation & terracing) Achievements of Mesoamericans came from powerful political/religious elites who organized community effectively

Terracing

Teotihuacan Teotihuacan = largest city in Americas Located near modern Mexico City Probably grew so fast b/c of nearby volcanic eruptions Filled w/ religious architecture Pyramids dedicated to sun & moon Small temples devoted to gods (ex. Quetzalcoatl) Practiced human sacrifice Most inhabitants farmed outside of city Major projects = swamp draining, irrigation, terracing, Chinampas (“floating gardens”) Permitted year-round agriculture Subsurface irrigation prevented frost

Teotihuacan

Quetzalcoatl (classical interpretation)

Quetzalcoatl (modern interpretation)

Chinampas (classical interpretation)

Chinampas (in use today)

Teotihuacan People lived in apt. style stone homes Single kinship groups or craftsmen in same trade (ex. pottery or obsidian tools) City was strong commercially/religiously Governed by aristocracy (not single leader) Importance of individual often not recognized (ex. art) Role of military Protect trade & force citizens to provide agricultural surplus to city Not imperialistic Reasons for collapse unknown (probably internal crisis)

The Maya Located in modern Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, Southern Mexico Never politically unified (decentralized), but shared common culture Lots of internal warfare Used irrigation, terracing & gardening Religion linked kings w/ gods Built large temples, monoliths w/ no wheels or metal tools (only levers & stone) Elite served as religious/political leaders Warfare was religiously infused (ex. fasting, sacrifice, purification)

Mayan Monoliths

Mayan Sacrifice

Mayan Sacrifice

The Maya Two women ruled Maya Created a system of writing Society, however was usually patrilineal Common women were essential to home Women could act as healers/shaman Created a system of writing hieroglyphic inscriptions Used 3 calendars ritual cycle, solar, “long count” Improvements to mathematics Used 0 and place values, but few notational signs

Mayan Writing System

Mayan Writing System

Mayan Calendar

The Maya B/t 800 - 900, many Mayan urban centers destroyed/abandoned Population declines Possibly due to epidemic disease Increased warfare Possible that destruction of Teotihuacan disrupted trade