1. The First Civilizations of the Americas
Aim – Who were the first civilizations to settle and thrive in the Americas?

2. Reaching the Americas
Like other early people around the world, the first Americans left no written records.
According to geologists, the earth has gone through several ice ages.

3. Reaching the Americas
During that time, thick sheets of ice called glaciers covered almost 1/3 of the Earth.
The moving of these glaciers caused land to rise out of the oceans.
Scientists believe that a land bridge once connected Siberia to North America.
The early people of the Americas crossed this bridge following their food source.

4. The Olmec The earliest civilization Located in Central America
Supplied nearby cities with surplus food

5. The Mayas
The Mayas lived in the rainforests of what is today Guatemala and Mexico.
Social class -
Priests
Nobles
Laborers
Farmers
Slaves

6. The Maya
Advances in Learning –
Astronomy
Mathematics
365 day calendar

7. The Aztecs
Nomads
Settled around Lake Texcoco
Capital is Tenochtitlan

8. The Aztecs
Advances
Causeways – roads
Chinampas – floating gardens

9. The Aztecs Social Class - Emperor Priests and Nobles Warriors
Merchants and Artisans
Farmers
Slaves

10. The Incas One of the Largest Empires Capital is Cuzco, the Holy City
Created Terraces to farm the rocky terrain.

11. Who were the earliest civilizations?
What advances did they make?
Where were they located?