Civilizations of Mesoamerica

The Olmec Earliest American civilization – Olmecs Located in the tropical forests along the Gulf Coast of Mexico Lasted from 1500 B.C. to 400 B.C.

The Olmec Little information about where they came from. Remains of temples and art suggest that they had a powerful class of priests and nobles at the top of their society. Elite class ran government Military Religion Politics Art mostly carved from stone. 50 stone heads made of basalt, weighing 40 tons each – required advanced technology to move the stones over 50 miles Had a calendar. Had a system of writing.

The Olmec Worshipped a god that was part jaguar, part human. Considered the “mother culture” of Mesoamerica because other cultures adopted their advances. Unclear how the civilization ended – simply disappeared.

The Maya Heavily influenced by the Olmec. Located on the Yucatan Peninsula and through much of Central America. Lasted from about 300 B.C. to 1200 A.D.

The Maya Society Each Maya city had its own ruler – usually male. Nobles served as military leaders, tax collectors, law enforcers, etc. Merchants formed the middle class. Majority of Mayans were farmers. Grew maize, beans, squash, fruit trees, cotton, and tropical flowers. Some cities had slaves.

The Maya Culture Large temples and palaces made of stone Had elaborate sculptures on many of their buildings. Developed a hieroglyphic writing system. Famous for the 365-day calendar based on the movement of the sun.

The Maya Religion Center of society Very complex – worshipped many gods Closely tied to agriculture – one of the most important gods was the god of rain Offered sacrifices to the gods in hopes of a good harvest.

The Maya Decline of Mayan Civilization Around 900 A.D., the Mayans abandoned many of their cities. By the time the Spanish arrived in 1500 A.D., the remaining Mayans usually lived in farming villages. Reasons for the decline of the empire are unknown, but it is suspected that constant wars, or overpopulation could have caused the civilization to decline.

The Aztec Around 1200 A.D. bands of nomadic people migrated to the Valley of Mexico – in the high plateau of central Mexico.

The Aztec Agriculture was the center of the economy. In 1325 A.D., the Aztec founded their capital city at Tenochtitlan. To create more farmland the Aztecs built chinampas – artificial islands. Used these “floating gardens” to grow beans, squash, and maize. Filled in part of lakes and created canals that linked them to the mainland. Agriculture was the center of the economy. People would sell their crops at markets, or trade with others.

The Aztec Government & Society One emperor – elected by a council of nobles, priests, and military leaders. Nobles served as judges and governors of conquered provinces. Warriors – could rise to the noble class by doing well in battle. Middle class – long distances traders Commoners – farmed the land. Serfs & slaves – prisoners of war & debtors – still had rights.

The Aztec Religion & Mythology Polytheistic Believed that each god had power over different natural elements, or parts of life. Huitziloopochtli – patron god of the Aztecs Quetzalcoatl – feathered serpent who reigned over earth and water Gods would sacrifice themselves to help the people Nanahuatzin – sacrificed himself to become the sun; Aztecs made human sacrifices to give the sun the strength to rise each day.

The Aztec Decline of the Empire The Aztec empire grew very quickly, but also declined very quickly. The Aztecs had forced the people they conquered to pay heavy taxes. These people became upset and caused problems in the empire. These problems led to the decline of the empire.

The Inca Most powerful Andean civilization Located on the western coast of South America Lasted from about 1100 A.D. to 1500 A.D.

The Inca Worshipped the sun and moon, as well as many other gods & goddesses. Expanded to become a vast empire that stretched to include parts of modern-day Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile. Capital of the empire was Cuzco Never developed a system of writing. Many medical advances – surgery on the human skull, etc.

The Inca Farming was very important. Built step terraces for farming. Stone walls kept the land from being washed away by rain. Farmers spent part of the year working the land for their community; the other part working the land for the government. The government kept most of the harvest in case of natural disaster. The extra was given to specific groups of people.

The Inca Also famous for metalworking and weaving. Used copper and bronze to make useful objects. Used gold & silver for making statues of gods and goddesses, or silverware or decorations for the nobles. Wove cotton and wool into clothing.

The Inca Decline of the Empire Empire ended by civil war which weakened the civilization to Spanish invaders. Spanish explorers arrived in South America during the time of the Inca. Brought diseases such as smallpox, which the Inca had no immunity to. The diseases quickly destroyed the population. The Spanish took control over what was left of the area.