America and the Southern Pacific
Origins Immigration from Asia during Ice Age Land bridges connecting Siberia with Alaska, Southeast Asia with Australia, Guinea Beginning: BC From BC early agricultural developments esp. in Central America Settlements from 3000 BC
The Olmec Located near Gulf of Mexico Ceremonial centers: San Lorenzo (1200 BC), La Venta ( BC), Tres Zapotes ( BC) Trade along rivers (jade, obsidian) High architectural achievements Around 400 BC: end of Olmec society
Central America
Olmec sculptures
The Maya Occurrance from around 100 BC Development of urban centers, e.g. Tikal, Teotihmacon Innovations in agriculture (terraces) Tikal: AD, Politics: small city kingdoms, ongoing warfare Empire of Chichen Itza Until 800: decline of Maya culture Society: Priests as social class, hereditary nobility, Olmec legacy Culture: agricultural calendar (365 days), ritual calendar (260 days) Writing: ideographic elements, symbols for syllables (sim. China)
Giant Jaguar Pyramid
Teotihuacan North Mexico, BC: development of urban center City of ( AD) Large pyramids (P. of the Sun) Politics: theocracy From 650: decline due to pressure from outside
Teotihuacan
South America From BC: first immigration From 8000 BC: first agricultural developments Developments similar to Central America, however independent, little contact due to geography From 2500 BC: first permanent settlements Cultivation of beans, peanuts, potatoes, cotton (textile) Larger political entity: Mochica state, AD, unified with military means
South America
Oceania Australia: one of the first areas inhabited by humans (around years ago) years ago: immigration stopped, land connections to Asia flooded, gatherer & hunter societies until 200 years ago New Guinea: agriculture from 3000 BC, spread to southern Pacific islands (1500 BC-700 AD) Example: Lapita people, agricultural villages, extensive trade networks, no urbanisation
Oceania