1. Africa and Mesoamerica
2 6 Notes

2. Africa
North Africa united under the Roman Empire
Sub-Saharan Africa isolated until the development of trade networks
complex mix of cultures with different languages

3. Africa
The Bantu ( BCE)—ethnic group that migrated from equatorial to southern Africa
govt: monarchies; social classes organized on kinship, gender, and age
trade: camel domestication opened trans-Saharan and Indian Ocean trade networks, salt traded for gold, palm oil
achievements: 300 distinct languages, oral traditions, iron metallurgy, farming techniques

5. Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan (150 BCE – 700s CE)— Central American city-state, “birthplace of the gods,” near modern Mexico City, one of the largest cities of its time
city layout on a grid, multi-story apt buildings, hinterlands worked by peasant farmers

6. Teotihuacan
religion: pyramids for the sun, moon, god Quetzalcoatl, connected by Avenue of the Dead
trade: obsidian, leather, pottery, weapons
decline: fire, civil war

8. The Maya
Maya (1500 BCE – 900 CE)—Central America civilization with ~40 city-states; in modern Mexico and Central America
city-states fought to win tribute and POWs; no standing armies
slash and burn agriculture and terrace farming  the Three Sisters (corn, beans, squash); no domesticated animals, wheels, metal tools

9. The Maya
achievements: astronomy, calculated phases of the moon, number zero, hieroglyphics, Olmec ball game (pitz)
women: two women rulers, goddesses, priestesses
religion: polytheistic, kings = gods, step pyramids, human sacrifice
decline: destruction of forests, civil wars

10. (Caracol at Chichen Itza)

11. The Moche
Moche (200 BCE-700 CE)—South American civilization in modern Peru
Cities centered around adobe brick step pyramids (Huaca del Sol, Huaca de la Luna)
llamas + irrigated fields  corn, beans
local trade: ceramic jars, jewelry, textiles (no large boats or wheeled vehicles)

12. The Moche
ayllu—small communities believed to have descended from common ancestor god
ancestor veneration, human sacrifice
decline: drought and civil war