Aim: Mesoamerican civilizations Global History & Geography Regents Review Unit 4 Section 1

Bering Land Bridge c. 10,000 years ago during the last ice age, large amounts of water froze into thick ice sheets and as ocean levels dropped; a land bridge was formed between Serbia and Alaska. Paleolithic Hunters in Asia following herds of Buffalo and Mammoths into what would become North America. These hunters spread south and east and had to adapt to new climates. These hunters learned to cultivate crops, domesticate animals and raise new crops such as corn, beans, sweet potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and squash.

Pre-Columbian Civilization The civilizations that developed before 1492 are known as Pre-Columbians because it was long before the time that Christopher Columbus explored parts of the area. The “Olmec Empire” was the first of these civilizations (1400 BC to 500BC). They built pyramid like temples, invented a calendar, developed a system of writing, and were very religious.

The Mayas The Mayas Empire (300 to 900) had a complex agricultural society. They developed large city-states in southern Mexico and throughout much of Central America. Farming and Trade: Farming made up most of the Mayan culture. Men cultivated the crops and women turned the crops into food. Farmers paid taxes in the form of food. The Mayans traded extensively in honey, cocoa, and feathers along dirt packed roads. Religion: Priests were high in the social hierarchy. They conducted elaborate rituals to ensure bountiful harvests and victories in battle.

Social Structure: Each city-state had its own ruling chief Social Structure: Each city-state had its own ruling chief. Next cam the nobles who were the city-state officials and military leaders. At the bottom was the majority of the population who served as farmers. Women could sometimes can power and influence. Contributions: Architecture: Mayans built giant pyramid temples and large palaces. Paintings and carvings on the walls depicted events in their history. Agriculture: The Mayans grew enough food to support large populations. Farmers cleared out dense rain forests and then built raised fields to help hold and drain rainwater. Learning and Science: Mayans developed hieroglyphic (picture) writing system. They recorded history in books made of bark. Priests developed an accurate 365 day calendar. They developed a numbering system and understood the concept of zero before Europeans did.

Decline of the Mayans Around 900, the Mayans abandoned their cities. It is believed that war and over population led to a decline in agriculture or that there were revolts against the ruling class. Today, millions of people in Guatemala and southern Mexico speak Mayan languages.

The Aztecs In the late 1200s, a nomadic group migrated fro the north into the Valley of Mexico. They established their capital city of Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs were fierce warriors. By the 1400s, the Aztecs used conquests and alliances to build a huge empire. Aztec Expansion: By the 1500s, the Aztec Empire covered most of Mexico and included about 30 million people. The leaders became very wealthy through the use of Tribute Payments made by conquered peoples.

Social Structure: Rulers, Nobles, and Priests: The Aztecs were ruled by a single emperor who was chosen by a council of nobles and priests. Below the Emperor was the nobles who served as officials, judges, and governors, and then the priests. Warriors and Traders: The warriors were next. A warrior could rise into the noble class through superior performance in battle. Traders were next in Aztec society. Traders scouted new lands to plan future conquests. Farmers and Slaves: Most Aztecs were farmers. The last group was slaves who were criminals and enemy soldiers who had been captured. Slaves could eventually buy their freedom. Religion: Priests led very elaborate rituals to please the Gods. The Sun God was the most important of the Gods in Aztec society. In order to please the Gods; Aztec priests offered thousands of human sacrifices. Mostly captured soldiers.

Contributions: Learning and Science: Aztec priests devised an accurate calendar. They established schools and recorded historical events. Aztec medical practices were advanced enough that broken bones could be set and dental cavities filled. Architecture and Engineering: Tenochtitlan was built on the site of present day Mexico city. Originally, the city was built on two separate islands. Engineers used land fill techniques to fill the waterways. Agriculture: They learned to use fertilizers and convert swampy areas into productive farmland. They build Chinampas or artificial islands made of earth piled on reed mats that were anchored to the shallow bed of Lake Texcoco. These floating gardens were used to raise corn, squash, and bears.

The Incas By the 1400s, the Incas emerged from the Andes Mountains and conquered a large area that extended over 2,500 miles down the Pacific Coast. Centralized Government: An Emperor ruled over the Incas. The Emperors held absolute power and owned all the people, land, herds, and mines in the Empire. The Emperor claimed to be the son of the Sun God and had a divine right to rule. The Capital City was Cuzco. Nobles ran the provinces. Other officials collected taxes, enforced laws, and performed routine government business.

Roads System: The Emperor developed an extensive system of roads to carry news, trade, and send armies to crush rebellions Contributions: Engineering and Architecture: The 12000 miles of roads, hundreds of bridges, and tunnels were developed throughout the empire. In the Capital city, the Temple of the Sun was built with huge stone blocks and inner walls lined with gold. Agriculture: The Incas borrowed the same techniques used by the Aztecs to make farming for effective. Communication: Government officials used Quipus or knotted colored strings to keep records. Science: The Incas had a calendar but were not as advanced as the Mayans in astronomy. The Incas excelled in medicine. They performed surgery to treat head wounds, and were very knowledgeable about diseases and medicine including using herbs as antiseptics.