Early Civilizations of the Andes

Andes Mountains 4,500 miles from Colombia to Chile Many peaks over 20,000’ Steep, rocky, poor soil Hot and dry during the day Very cold at night

Societies in the Andes Settlements on the Coastal Plain Andes Mountains, climate, environment make travel, farming difficult Harsh deserts lie along Pacific coast However, coastal areas with rivers have good soil; are settled 3600-2500 BC Around 3000 BC agriculture starts; by 1800 BC communities arise

The Chavin Chavin-first influential culture in South America (mother culture of South America) Arises in highland region of Peru; flourishes from 900 BC to 200 BC No evidence of political or economic organization RELIGIOUS civilization Gods-part human and part animal

Chavin Named for major ruin, Chavin de Huantar City has pyramids, plazas, and massive earth mounds Chavin culture spreads over north and central Peru Influences other cultures Religious images reflected in stone carvings, pottery and textiles Religious centers featuring pyramids, plazas and giant earthen mounds

Would the Chavin culture have been more influential if it had arisen along the Peruvian coast? Yes-Travel would have been easier. No-People made the difficult pilgrimages despite the rugged terrain.

Nazca Nazca-culture on dry, southern coast of Peru Flourishes from 200 BC to 600 AD They build irrigation systems and make beautiful pottery and textiles

Nazca Lines—Discovered in 1927 1,000 puzzling designs on land—images of animals, geometric shapes and mythological beings

Nazca Lines

Theories About the Lines 1. Please the gods? 2. Lines indicated where surface water entered the plain and marked elevated land between ancient riverbeds? 3. A map that marks the course of underground aquifers? 4. Straight lines may have led to ceremonial sites?

How Have the Lines Lasted Over 1,000 years? One of the driest regions on earth Ground is flat and stony Wind rarely carries away the soil Minimal erosion

Nazca—Headhunters? In ceramic and textile design, Nazca artisans depict the taking of human heads.

Moche Moche-culture that thrives on northern coast of Peru Flourishes from 100 to 700 AD Images on Moche tombs and pottery reveal how they lived GOLD and silver jewelry; musical instruments, woven clothing; doctors, soldiers Neither Moche religion nor fall of culture are understood No written language

Moche Moche build large irrigation systems to water wide range of crops Corn, beans, potatoes, squash, peanuts, fish, ducks, guinea pigs, deer, crayfish

Moche Tomb

What can be inferred from the discovery of Nazca shrunken heads and the depiction of soldiers on Moche pottery? Both the Nazca and the Moche had enemies; some of their people were warriors.

Identify similarities in the Chavin, Nazca, and Moche cultures. Successfully adapted to a harsh, rugged environment All built flourishing civilizations known for their art styles and beautiful crafts.

Connections Across Time and Cultures 1. Prospering agricultural villages and surpluses of food helped lead to the rise of civilizations. Give some examples from the rise of civilizations in the Americas Food supply—population growth—settled communities—skill and social classes Connections Across Time and Cultures

Characteristics of Civilizations 2. Advanced Cities: Monte Alban, San Lorenzo, La Venta Specialized Workers: Urban Design, Craftspeople, Sculptors, Weavers, Musicians, Doctors Record Keeping: Calendars; Zapotec writing Complex Institutions: Trade Networks, Ruling Classes, Ceremonies Advanced Technology: Irrigation Characteristics of Civilizations

3. As the economy becomes more specialized, social classes begin to emerge. Describe the social structure in Olmec culture. Ruling class (priests to nobles), peasant farmers, artisans and traders (middle class)

4. As populations grew, religion became more organized 4. As populations grew, religion became more organized. Describe some religious traditions that were followed by some of the earliest American civilizations. Jaguar spirits, nature gods, temples

5. Identify other ways in which the rise of civilization in the Americas parallels the rise of ancient civilizations in different parts of the world. Learned to control environment; created solutions to environmental problems; used resources to build thriving communities; applied organized cooperation and leadership to massive building projects