Civilizations of the Americas Civilizations of Middle America

Mayan Calendar: End of the World? In your notes, tell me what you know about the “end of the world” in 2012 In your notes, tell me what you know about the “end of the world” in 2012

Geography of the Americas Approx. 30,000 years ago, Paleolithic hunter gatherers reached North America from Asia Approx. 30,000 years ago, Paleolithic hunter gatherers reached North America from Asia –Land bridge between Siberia and Alaska -Adapted to a variety of climates

Olmecs First complex civilization to develop in MesoAmerica First complex civilization to develop in MesoAmerica Olmec influence spread over a wide area through trade Olmec influence spread over a wide area through trade Remains: Giant carved stone heads; no one knows how they moved these. Remains: Giant carved stone heads; no one knows how they moved these. Most important legacy: served as a base for later civilizations (Maya & Aztec) Most important legacy: served as a base for later civilizations (Maya & Aztec)

Mayan Civilization: The Golden Age of MesoAmerica Flourished from Flourished from Largest city: Tikal Largest city: Tikal –Pyramid temples (Sacrifices & burials took place here) –Elaborate carvings on stone pillars; record events in Mayan history –Wealth came from trade

Mayan Civilization: The Golden Age of MesoAmerica Social Classes Social Classes –Each city had a ruling chief –Priests held great power- needed to ensure good harvests and success in war –Most Mayans were farmers Advances in Learning Advances in Learning –Hieroglyphic writing system –365-day solar calendar –260-day calendar based on Venus

Mayan Calendar: End of the World? December 21, 2012 (11:11 am): Sun aligned with the center of the Milky Way for the first time in 26,000 years December 21, 2012 (11:11 am): Sun aligned with the center of the Milky Way for the first time in 26,000 years The Mayan calendar does NOT actually end in 2012 The Mayan calendar does NOT actually end in 2012 –It is the end of a cycle –Similar to the way the Gregorian calendar (our calendar) ENDS on December 31, and starts over with a new cycle on January 1

Decline of Mayan Civilization Around 900 AD, Mayas abandoned their cities Around 900 AD, Mayas abandoned their cities Ideas about decline: Ideas about decline: –Frequent warfare –Overpopulation  overfarming –Heavy taxes

Aztec Culture Teotihuacán- Well planned city Teotihuacán- Well planned city –Worshipped nature goddess and rain god –Culture influenced Aztecs Arrival of Aztecs Arrival of Aztecs –Told to look for eagle on a cactus w/ snake in its mouth –Built city of Tenochtitlan= present day Mexico city /esl/lessons/mexicounit/a zteccactus.jpg /esl/lessons/mexicounit/a zteccactus.jpg

The world of the Aztecs By 1500, the Aztec empire consisted of 30 million people By 1500, the Aztec empire consisted of 30 million people Government and Society Government and Society –Aztecs had a single ruler –Nobles; Warriors; commoners (peasants); slaves Religious beliefs Religious beliefs –Huitzilopochtli- Sun god; thousands of victims were offered as sacrifices to him –Human sacrifice very common

Human Sacrifice amongst the Aztecs Questions 1. What was the purpose of human sacrifice amongst the Aztecs? 2. What impelled individuals to willingly accept the role of a sacrificial victim? 3. How was human sacrifice an ultimate test of manhood? 4. Why would a warrior be a better sacrifice than a slave? 5. What were the different varieties of human sacrifice? 6. What is an auto-sacrifice? 7. What was the most common form of sacrifice? 8. How was the entire rite of sacrifice symbolic? 9. Approximately how many victims were sacrificed by the Aztecs? 10. How do modern people regard human sacrifice?