1. Friday 12-9-16 Spiral, writing utensil Bellwork:
Finish Early America’s Map if needed
Answer in spiral: How can killing a mammoth help you survive?

2. The Americas: A Separate World 40,000 B.C. – 700 A.D. Chapter 9
TEKS: 1A, 6A, 26B, 29A,29B

3. The Land Bridge
Thousands of years ago, an icy land bridge called Beringia connected Asia to North America
People migrated over the land bridge, following the herds as they moved southward away from the growing ice sheets during the last ice age
Some believe this migration happened as early as 40,000 BCE, others believe it happened as late as 10,000 BCE

4. Continued… Earliest evidence of human habitation in North America
Spearheads found near Clovis, New Mexico dated at around 9500 BCE were assumed to be the earliest evidence of human habitation in North America
Recently pre-Clovis sites have been found in central and South America
These recent discoveries have led to some archeologists subscribing to the island hopping theory (that people paddled by boat to other areas first)

5. Hunter Gatherers
The discovery of chiseled spearheads and charred animal bones at dig sights tell archeologists that early American men were hunter gatherers
Man hunted several different types of game including rabbits, elk, and deer, but their favorite game was mammoths
They also fished, and foraged for edible plants and nuts

6. Agriculture changes society
People continued to experiment with different types of plant foods, which lead to agriculture
By 7,000 BCE, planned harvests had drastically changed mankind's way of life
By 5,000 BCE, preferred crops included squash, maize, beans, and avocados
Floating gardens

7. Dawn of civilization
Farming led to permanent settlements and eventual cities
In present day Mexico, the villages of the Tehuacan Valley would soon become Mexico City
Soon, commerce, government, and religion would become important elements of human culture
Tehuacan pyramid of the moon

8. Diversification
As farming became more efficient, labor was freed to pursue other trades
Craftsman, blacksmiths, carpenters, and artists became prevalent
As people engaged in different work, social classes began to distinguish societal roles

9. The Olmec
The Olmec began civilization in modern day Mexico, along the Gulf Coast, around 1200 BCE
The Olmecs are considered Mesoamericas “mother culture”
The Olmecs were dependent on fishing, salt, stone work, and iron ore as tradable commodities, done mostly between towns and small cities

10. Decline of the Olmec
Historians are not entirely sure what led to the decline of the Olmec between 900 and 400 BCE
Some believe outside invaders, others belief the death of their last great monarch led to decline

11. Zapotec modern day Mexican state of Oaxaca
Rugged mountain regions
The Zapotec lived in scattered communities
They built stone temples and by 500 BCE had developed writing and a calendar
Also in 500 BCE, the Zapotec built America’s first urban center at Monte Alban, home to roughly 15,000 people, peaking at nearly 25,000.
Showed signs of Olmec influence

12. MesoAmerican legacy The Maya were heavily influenced by the Olmecs
Mayan artwork, including Jaguar motifs, and the use of jade were present in early Olmec works
Mayan city designs also copied Olmec earlier designs
The Zapotec left behind their calendar, and writing system

13. Societies of the Andes – South America
Between 3600 and 2500 BCE, civilization began around the pacific coast
The areas between the Andes and the Pacific was harsh desert, while the landed side of the Andes was rainforest
The first inhabitants were hunter-gatherers who relied on fishing, and small game to survive

14. Chavin
A group known as the Chavin flourished between BCE, modern day Peru
The ruins of these people showed pyramids plazas, and earthen mounds
Primarily a religious civilization
Chavin art styles shown in stone carvings, pottery, textiles

15. Nazca 200 BC to 600 AD Southern coast of Peru
Extensive irrigation systems
Textiles & pottery than feature images of animals and mythological beings
Nazca lines – lines engraved in the land
Google to see more!
Extensive irrigation systems – included underground canals that allowed them to farm the land
Headhunters – enemies in combat… displaying the head was a way to increase the strength and well-being of the community

16. Moche – 100 AD -700 AD Northern coast of Peru
Crops: corn, beans, potatoes, squash, peanuts
Jewelry made from gold, silver, precious stones
No written language, however, there is pottery that depicts everyday life such as doctors healing patients, women weaving cloth, and musicians playing music
Civiliation is somewhat of a mystery
Extensive irrigation from the rivers that flowed from the Andes Mountains

17. The Americans would remain a patchwork of separate civilizations until the early 16th century.

18. Questions – Answer in notes!
How did early Americans survive?
What evidence have archeologists found which they believe is the earliest evidence of humans in North America?
What effect did agriculture have on early American societies?