1. The America’s A separate world
Stearns et al.; World Civilizations, The Global Experience, AP edition 5th edition Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Long Man, Copyright 2007

2. Time Line of the Americas
7000 BCE
Agriculture begins in Central Mexico
1200 BCE
Olmec Civilization emerges in Southeast Mexico.
900 BCE
Chavín culture arises in Peru
500 BCE
Zapotecs build Monte Albán.
200 BCE
Nazca civilization arises in southern Peru
100 CE
Moche culture emerges

3. The Earliest Americans
While civilizations were developing in Africa, Asia, and Europe they were also emerging in the Americas.
First Americans survived mainly by hunting and over time they developed farming methods that provided more reliable food stores which lead to the earliest civilizations in the Americas.
With the development of agriculture, society became more complex which created advanced civilizations.

4. The Earliest Americans
The earliest Americans came from Asia over the land bridge known as Beringia.
Some came by boat as well.
The first Americans populated North and South America after the last Ice Age.

5. The Earliest Americans
7000 BCE a revolution developed in what is present day Central Mexico.
Reliance on wild edible plants they begin to raise from seeds
5000 BCE many began to grow crops
Squash, gourds, beans, avocados, and chilies
3400 BCE the most important crop was cultivated, maize

6. The Earliest Americans
Gradually people settled in permanent villages in the Tehuacan Valley, present day Mexico City.
These people raised corn and other crops.

7. Early Mesoamerican Civilizations
Mesoamerica is an area that stretches from central Mexico to northern Honduras.
This was the area that the first complex societies in the Americas arose.

8. Olmec Civilization Building of clay pyramids and temple mounds
Characteristics of the Society
1200 BCE-
Olmec was America’s first known civilization builders. Located in the jungles of Southern Mexico
The Olmec influenced neighboring groups and later civilizations of the region therefore they are considered a “mother culture”.
Building of clay pyramids and temple mounds
Particular sculptural style
weeping or snarling jaguar/human infant
were-jaguar
colossal heads
basalt monuments
Fine jade carving

9. Olmec Civilization Colossal Heads

10. Olmec Civilization- La Venta
At La Venta researchers discovered a 100 foot high mound of clay.
It was the tomb of the great Olmec ruler
Site is known as the Great Pyramid- may have served as a religious center.
Many researchers believe the Olmec worshipped the jaguar spirit due to the many sculptures depicting the jaguar.

11. Olmec
Olmec appear to have been a prosperous people who directed a large trading network throughout Mesoamerica.
They traveled as far as Mexico City trading in raw materials (iron ore and various stones)
For unknown reasons, Olmec civilization eventually collapsed.
Scientist believe San Lorenzo was destroyed around 900 BCE
La Venta may have fallen 400 BCE

12. Zapotec Civilization
Zapotec civilization developed after the Olmec civilization in the southwest Mexican state of Oaxaca.

13. Zapotec Civilization Zapotec lived in scattered villages .
1000 BCE- San Jose Mogote was the emerging main power.
Zapotec constructed stone platforms.
They built monumental sculptures, early forms of writing and a calendar.

14. Zapotec Civilization
500 BCE- Zapotec civilization took a great leap forward.
They built the first urban center in the Americas, Monte Alban.
It was the home of 15,000 people.
Monte Alban had paved roads, pyramids, and plaza. They also had an observatory.
It is unknown about how the civilization declined.

15. Early Civilizations of the Andes
Andean civilizations developed independently in South America

16. Early Civilizations of the Andes
Andes Mountains stretch miles down the western edge of South America from Columbia in the north to Chile in the south.
South America’s first civilizations emerged in the northern Andes region, in Peru.

17. Early Civilizations of the Andes
Peru was a harsh place to develop a civilization.
Steep rocky soil
BCE people began to establish villages along the Pacific coast.
First inhabitants were hunter gatherers who relied on seasonal game for survival
3000 BCE they begin to farm
1800 BCE a number of communities begin to thrive.

18. Early Civilizations of the Andes
Chavin Period lasted 900 BCE- 200 BCE
This was the first influential civilization in South America in the mountains.
Chavin culture spread quickly across much of northern and central Peru.
Chavin culture was a primarily religious civilization.
The sculptures, stones carvings, pottery and textiles shows the powerful influence of the Chavin culture
The Chavin are believed to established certain patterns that helped unify Andean culture and lay the foundation for later civilizations in Peru. (mother culture)

19. Early Civilization of the Andes
Around the time of the Chavin declined other civilizations were emerging in Peru.
Nazca
Moche

20. Early Civilizations of the Andes
The Nazca culture flourished along the coast of Peru from 200 BCE-600 CE.
This area is extremely dry
The Nazca developed extensive irrigation systems including underground canals that allowed them to farm land.
The Nazca are known for their beautiful textiles and pottery.
Both are features of animals and mythological beings
They are also known for their extraordinary creations, the Nazca Lines.

21. Nazca Lines

22. Moche Culture Moche culture was located on the northern coast of Peru.
Civilization lasted 100 CE-700 CE
The Moche took advantage of the rivers that flowed from the Andes Mountains.
They built impressive irrigation systems to water crops such as:
Corn, beans, potatoes, squash, and peanuts.
Tombs uncovered revealed that the Moche were a wealthy civilization.

23. Moche Culture
Moche created jewelry made from gold, silver, and semi-precious stones.
They were also brilliant ceramic artist.
Pottery depicted scenes from everyday life, doctors healing patients, women weaving cloth, musicians playing instruments, and fierce soldiers armed with spears.
Although the Moche never developed a written language, their pottery provides a wealth of detail about their everyday life.
There is not a known reason for why the Moche civilization declined.

24. Comparing Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas
You have a number on your desk. This represents the group you will be in. (do not change your number I know who is in what group…)