1. Classical-Era Culture and Society in Mesoamerica, 600 - 900
Chapter 11 (p )

2. Classical-Era Culture and Society in Mesoamerica
In Mesoamerica, there was no political centralization, but there were similar cultures, religions, social structures, etc.
Agricultural techniques were very old, but highly effective (ex. Irrigation & terracing)
Achievements of Mesoamericans came from powerful political/religious elites who organized community effectively

4. Terracing

5. Teotihuacan Teotihuacan = largest city in Americas
Located near modern Mexico City
Probably grew so fast b/c of nearby volcanic eruptions
Filled w/ religious architecture
Pyramids dedicated to sun & moon
Small temples devoted to gods (ex. Quetzalcoatl)
Practiced human sacrifice
Most inhabitants farmed outside of city
Major projects = swamp draining, irrigation, terracing, Chinampas (“floating gardens”)
Permitted year-round agriculture
Subsurface irrigation prevented frost

6. Teotihuacan

7. Quetzalcoatl (classical interpretation)

8. Quetzalcoatl (modern interpretation)

9. Chinampas (classical interpretation)

10. Chinampas (in use today)

11. Teotihuacan People lived in apt. style stone homes
Single kinship groups or craftsmen in same trade (ex. pottery or obsidian tools)
City was strong commercially/religiously
Governed by aristocracy (not single leader)
Importance of individual often not recognized (ex. art)
Role of military
Protect trade & force citizens to provide agricultural surplus to city
Not imperialistic
Reasons for collapse unknown (probably internal crisis)

12. The Maya
Located in modern Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, Southern Mexico
Never politically unified (decentralized), but shared common culture
Lots of internal warfare
Used irrigation, terracing & gardening
Religion linked kings w/ gods
Built large temples, monoliths w/ no wheels or metal tools (only levers & stone)
Elite served as religious/political leaders
Warfare was religiously infused (ex. fasting, sacrifice, purification)

13. Mayan Monoliths

14. Mayan Sacrifice

15. Mayan Sacrifice

16. The Maya Two women ruled Maya Created a system of writing
Society, however was usually patrilineal
Common women were essential to home
Women could act as healers/shaman
Created a system of writing
hieroglyphic inscriptions
Used 3 calendars
ritual cycle, solar, “long count”
Improvements to mathematics
Used 0 and place values, but few notational signs

17. Mayan Writing System

18. Mayan Writing System

19. Mayan Calendar

20. The Maya B/t 800 - 900, many Mayan urban centers destroyed/abandoned
Population declines
Possibly due to epidemic disease
Increased warfare
Possible that destruction of Teotihuacan disrupted trade