WHI: SOL 11a, b Mesoamerica

Early inhabitants Migrated from Asia during the last Ice Age, crossing the Bering Strait by foot Hunter-gatherers: During global warming, they migrated east and south to follow the herds. Different cultures formed as they spread out. Cut off from Asia as Ice Age ended, they developed independently from cultures in the Eastern Hemisphere. Technology: Metal was rarely used; many cultures were still in the Stone Age. Wheel was used, but not for transportation.

Olmec Civilization Name means “rubber people.” Parent or base culture of Mesoamerica: Settled along the Gulf Coast Influenced area through trade; evidence of trade confirmed by Olmec jade carvings found throughout Central America Polytheistic religion: Performed ritual sacrifices Played pok-a-tok game Built temple and pyramids Went on pilgrimages Constructed “Colossal Heads” Achievements: Calendar

Mayan Civilization Located in the Mexican and Central American rain forests on the Yucatan Peninsula (present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize) Economy based on agriculture (including irrigation) and trade Groups of city-states ruled by kings: Represented by Chichén Itzá, the premier city-state Priests, nobles, and warriors—upper class Everyone else— peasants who paid taxes to the king (using corn) No rights for women

Mayan Civilization Polytheistic religion: Pyramids Priest preoccupied with concept of time Human sacrifices Achievements: Hieroglyphics Complex 365-day calendar system Astronomy Number system Between 850 and 1000 a.d. (c.e.), city-states abandoned

Aztec Civilization Located in arid valley in central Mexico Represented by the capital Tenochtitlan, an island city in Lake Texcoco Government: Ruled by an emperor with absolute power Indirect rule; trade and tribute from conquered peoples held empire together. Empire built by the conquest of fierce warriors; conquest provided prisoners and slaves for religious sacrifices Right of slaves to buy freedom

Aztec Civilization Economy: Based on agriculture (beans, squash, tomatoes, and peppers) Chinampa farming (practice of draining swamps and building up fields in shallow lake beds) Polytheistic religion: Chief god—the sun god Priests, a special social class – Recorded knowledge and ran schools – Served as astronomers and mathematicians Ritualistic ceremonies performed daily Based on warfare Pyramids Frequent sacrifices

Aztec Civilization Achievements: Causeways Aqueducts Canals Dams

Incan Civilization Location: Developed in the Andes Mountains Area includes primarily present-day Peru and northern Chile, as well as smaller area in southern Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina Important cities: Cuzco, capital Machu Picchu

Incan Civilization Government: Ruled by an emperor with absolute power Direct rule – Government arranged marriage. – Citizens were required to have passes for travel. – Government controlled harvest. – Conquered people were forced to adopt Incan ways

Incan Civilization Economy: Based on high-altitude agriculture (potatoes, beans, squash, peanut, cotton, llamas, guinea pigs, and alpacas) Used terrace-farms Polytheistic religion: Chief god—the sun god

Incan Civilization Achievements: Kept records on quipus, a system of knotted strings Demonstrated themselves to be superb engineers Created vast network of roads linking entire empire