The Americas: A Separate World 40,000 BCE – CE 700

Hunters and Farmers in the Americas Ice Age –Cold period in which huge ice sheets spread outward from the polar regions –Beringia Land bridge connecting Asia to the Americas (through modern-day Alaska) Early nomads followed food across Beringia during the Ice Age Archaeology –Study of prehistoric human cultures Paleontology –Study of ancient animals & plants

Agriculture Around the 3000 BCE, early Americans began to farm –Maize (corn) –Huge turning point in human history

Early Mesoamerican Civilizations Mesoamerica –Region that stretches from central Mexico to Honduras –Hot & humid –Swamps & jungles –Rain forests Trees provide thick covers that prevent sunshine –100 inches of rain per year –Lots of flooding –Abundant supply of salt, tar, clay, wood, rubber, stone Lots of rivers for transportation Fertile land from the floods –corn, beans, & squash=staple

Mesoamerica’s Mother Culture Olmec –1200 – 400 BCE –First civilization in Mesoamerica –Influenced neighboring groups & future civilizations

Olmec Society Polytheistic with many nature gods –Worshipped the jaguar Many sculptures with half-human & half-jaguar carvings Representations unknown –Some believe it is a powerful rain god –Some believe it represents the earth, fertility, & maize Fisherman, farmers, artisans, & traders –Traded throughout the region of Mesoamerica –Imported iron ore & stones

Olmec Artifacts discovered at San Lorenzo & La Venta –Earthen mounds –Courtyards –Pyramids –Large stone monuments with columns & altars –Large sculpted heads

Reasons of Decline of the Olmec ??????????Unknown?????????????? –Invaders? –Left no written records –Left many artifacts & monuments

Zapotec Civilizations 500 BCE – CE 700 Advanced society developed southwest of the Olmec Settled in a rugged region of mountains and valleys Show traces of influence from Olmec Mild climate Fertile soil Enough rainfall to support agriculture

Monte Alban & San Jose’ Mogote Two major cities with stone platforms Forms of hieroglyphic writing Calendar system Pyramids Temples Palaces Observatory for star gazing Stone sculptures like the Olmec

Decline of the Zapotec ????????????Unknown?????????????? Trade & economic decline?

Early Mesoamericans’ Legacy Olmec –Art styles –Jaguar –Pottery & sculptures –Urban design –Pyramids & plazas –Monumental sculptures –Planned ceremonial centers –Ritual ball games –Elite ruling class Zapotec –Hieroglyphic language –Calendar system based on the movement of the sun –City builders

Early Civilizations of the Andes Andes Mountains –4,000 miles along western edge of South America –From Colombia to Chile –Second highest mountain range in the world –Steep & rocky –Poor soil –Ice & snow cover the highest elevations year round –Climate Hot & dry during the day Freezing during the night

Early Civilizations of the Andes In-between the mountains and the Pacific Coast lies harsh deserts with little rainfall some rivers flow from the mountains to the ocean across these deserts –River valleys were sites of first settlements Hunter-gatherers relied on seafood & small game 3000 BCE = start of agriculture Staple=corn(maize), beans, & fish Peru = first advanced civilizations of South America

Chavin 900 – 200 BCE Arose in the mountains First civilization of South America Pyramids, plazas, & earthen mounds Art styles Religious civilization with many images carved into stone, pottery, & textiles –No evidence of political/economic organization

Chavin Pottery

Chavin laid the foundations to unify Andean Culture

Nazca 200 BCE – CE 600 Southern coast of Peru Extremely dry land Developed irrigation systems –Underground canals Farmers Beautiful textiles & pottery

Nazca Lines Scraped away stone to reveal lighter soil underneath Large drawings of plants & animals Can only be seen from above Believed these drawings were for the gods

Moche Northern coast of Peru Used rivers from mountains to make irrigation systems Farmers –Corn, beans, potatoes, squash, & peanuts Wealthy civilization

Moche Gold & silver Ceramics & pottery Doctors, weavers, musicians, & soldiers portrayed on pottery No written language