1. Classical Era Variations
Maya, Axum, and Andean Civilizations

2. Axum Civilization – A Christian Kingdom
Axum was located in present-day Eritrea and northern Ethiopia
Kingdom’s economic foundation was highly productive agriculture
Plow-based farming (not reliant on hoe or digging stick like most of Africa)
High production of cereal crops (wheat, barley, millet, teff)
Substantial state emerged by about 50 c.e.
Stimulated by Red Sea and Indian Ocean trade
Commerce taxes were major source of state revenue

3. Capital city Axum (in the interior) was center of monumental building
Huge stone obelisks (probably mark royal graves)
Some over 100 feet tall
Written language was influenced by South Arabian script
Christianity arrived in fourth century c.e
Axum King adopted Christianity about the time of Constantine
Coptic Christianity is still the religion of half the region
4th-6th centuries C.E.: imperial expansion into Meroë (Southern Egypt) and Arabian Peninsula
Reached gates of Mecca by 571
Decline followed soon after
Environmental degradation: Soil exhaustion, erosion, deforestation
Rise of Islam altered trade routes – less $$
Axum revived several centuries later, but further south

5. Mayan Civilization
Maya language and folkways still survive among about 6 million people
Maya ceremonial centers developed as early as 2000 b.c.e. in present-day Guatemala and Yucatan
Classical phase of Maya civilization: 250–900 c.e.
Developed advanced mathematics, calendars, writing system, and huge building projects (pyramids)
Maya economy
Large-scale human engineering (swamp drainage, terracing, water management system)
Supported a substantial elite and artisan class

6. Rapid collapse in the century after a long-term drought began in 840
Political system of city-states and regional kingdoms was highly fragmented
Frequent warfare; capture and sacrifice of prisoners
Densely populated urban and ceremonial centers
Ruled by “state shamans” who could mediate with divine
No city-state ever succeeded in creating a unified empire
Rapid collapse in the century after a long-term drought began in 840
Population dropped by at least 85 percent
Elements of Maya culture survived, but not the great cities
Possible reasons for the collapse:
Extremely rapid population growth after 600 c.e. outstripped resources
Political rivalries prevented a coordinated response to drought
Warfare became more frequent

8. Andes Mountain Civilizations
Most well-known civilization of the region was the Incas
Central Peruvian coast was home to one of the First Civilizations: Norte Chico
Classical era of Andean civilization is 1000 b.c.e.–1000 c.e.
Chavin
Numerous ceremonial centers uncovered, dating to 2000–1000 b.c.e.
Around 900 b.c.e., Chavín de Huántar became focus of a religious movement
Chavín de Huántar was in good location along trade routes
Elaborate temple complex became pilgrimage location
Did not become an empire and faded by 200 B.C.E.

10. Moche
flourished between about 100 and 800 c.e. along 250 miles of Peru’s north coast
agriculture based on complex irrigation system
rule by warrior-priests
some lived on top of huge pyramids
Pyramid of the Sun was made of 143 million bricks
human sacrifice
superb craftsmanship of elite objects
ecological disruption in sixth century c.e. undermined the civilization