Olmec/Maya/Toltec 1200 BC-1170 AD Skye Hairyass Miles Dumbching

Olmec and Mayan Achievements The Olmec were considered southern mesoamerica’s ‘mother culture.’ They had the dominate culture from around 1300 to 1400 B.C. The Mayans were most famous for their large, temple pyramids and their totally awesome and accurate space calendars.

Ball Game of the Olmec Culture The Olmec ball game was invented over 3000 years ago. It was a combination of volleyball, basketball, and soccer. They were the first to use rubber (in their balls\0 which is how they got their name.(rubber people) They usually gambled their homes, feilds, corn graniaries, they sold children to bet and even staked themselves. Over 6000 ball courts have been unearthed. Winners were victorious, losers were sacrificed to the gods. Losers were decapitated. Mayans had a similar version but with more religious views. Addition of hoops signify the changing of the game

Ball Game (continued) Rules: Ball was not allowed to touch the ground. Ball was allowed to bounce off of walls, elbows, hips, knee’s, or head. Points were scored by the ball going through stone circle hoop on the walls. Gear: helmets quilted pads covered elbows, knee’s, and heavy belts or yokes aztec players wore heavy helts to protect themselves.

The Olmec Heads The Olmec left behind a ton of colossal stone heads. Each head depicted a different ruler at the time, told apart by the helmet each wears.

Politics They were composed of a city-state government that united for religious celebrations under the authority of a priest/shaman. Maya civilizations were often at war with each other. A common result of trade and alliances is usually inter marriage between cultures (maintained alliances). First evidence of semi permanent villages appear along both the gulf and pacific coasts of Mesoamerica.

Geography The Mayans, Olmecs, and Toltecs were located deep south of present-day Mexico. They lived in dense jungles, and had to clear cut any space for building. Due to the lack of open space, the mayans never invented the wheel.

Social Structures Women were members of all three social class depending on family and position in marriage. High Council-Workers assistant sculptors and builders farmers servants They believed the nobles descended from the gods. Farmers and slaves performed most labor, farmers provided society with food. While they were still on the bottom of the ladder. Slaves were usually captured by enemies or criminals within the Mayan citizenry. Artisans lived in large towns or cities. They depended on farmers in the surrounding country side to produce food to sustain urban population.

Economy The Mayan economy didn’t have a widely accepted form of currency. Things like salt, cacao seeds, obsidian, and gold were valued in Mayan cities. The most valued were gold, gems, decorated pottery, and statues of religious importance.

Religion Polytheist Nature worship Shaman ruled, claimed to shape-change, control nature (rain, sun, crops), fly, killing enemies from a distance, and bear off-spring even though they are men. Jaguars seen as magical animals and shaman claimed to shape shift into them. Practiced human sacrifice to postpone day of world ending Religious activities were performed by a combination of rulers, full time priests, and shamans

Olmec Heads: Mayan Achievements: Mayan Economy: Maya-Economy-And-Trade.htm Mesoamerican Geography: