2. Chapter 12 Classic Period Mesoamerica WHAP 2013

3. Society Political institutions Inventions Culture/religion Economic system

4. Introduction/Review “Mesoamerica” means “Middle America” in Greek. Chapter 4 introduced “pre-classical” Mesoamerican civilizations. Olmecs in Mexico 1200 - 400 BCE Chavin in Peru 900 - 250 BCE “Classic civilizations” built on great traditions created by earlier cultures

5. Maya 250 CE - 900 CE Teotihuacan 100 BCE - 750 CE Olmec 1200 BCE - 400 BCE

6. Human Sacrifice All Mesoamerican groups practiced human sacrifice A sacred duty towards the gods and essential to the well being of society.

7. Over 60 victims found during the excavation of the Temple of Quetzalcoatal in TeotihuacanOver 60 victims found during the excavation of the Temple of Quetzalcoatal in Teotihuacan

10. Teotihuacan First civilization of Classic Period Founded 100 BCE 450 - 600 CE largest city in the Americas with 125,000 to 200,000 inhabitants. Religious and commercial center. Teotihuacan Overview

11. Politics Ruled by an oligarchy = from the Greek words " ὀ λίγος" "a few” and the verb " ἄ ρχω” "to rule, to govern, to command". Such states are often controlled by a few prominent families who pass their influence from one generation to the next. Oligarchy = Rule by a fewOligarchy = Rule by a few

12. Geography

14. Historians believe Teotihuacan was ruled by alliances of wealthy families, or by weak kings who were controlled by wealthy families

15. Economy Subsistence farming and regional trade Main trade items obsidian stone and pottery. 2% of population made obsidian weapons and tools history of ceramics

16. Economy 2/3 of population worked in agriculture. Swamps drained Irrigation and container gardens used Invented Chinampas - artificial islands used to create year- round agriculture.

19. Religion Polytheistic Sun, moon, storm- god. Quetzalcoatl - feathered serpent god of agriculture and art. Quetzalcoatl

20. Society 4 level society Elites/priests Warriors Craftsmen Peasants Elite families lived in separate housing compounds.

21. Society Peasants and artisans lived in apartments of stone. No paintings or statues of rulers have been found.

22. Architecture Religiously inspired Large pyramids dedicated to the sun and moon. Over 20 smaller temples to other gods lined a central avenue.

23. Pyramid of the Moon

24. Built without the wheel, iron tools or draft animals!

26. travel Teotihuacan travel Teotihuacan

28. Education Without a written language, historians can only guess. Religion Trade Farming Crafts ??????????? Mesoamerican WSU site

29. Military Weapons included spears, obsidian knives, shields made of woven reeds Codex - obsidian edged flat club bow and arrow and throwing spear Woven armor could include stone tiles

30. War club

31. Military No walls around city before 500 CE No murals of military conquest Not an imperial state Probably used to expand trade into Mayan region

32. Decline 650 CE WE DON”T KNOW WHY! Clues: After 500 CE population declines and walls around city are built. Murals depict a violent time Temples and buildings pulled down religious images defaced Internal conflict or external attack?

33. End 1

34. Mayan Politics 250 CE early classic period

35. Mayan Economy

36. Mayan Religion A Mayan Religion

37. Mayan Society

38. Mayan Inventions

39. Mayan Art/Architecture/Entertainment

40. Mayan Geography

41. Mayan Education

42. Mayan Military

43. End of the Maya For some reason the city was abandoned around 1300. If the Spanish had not made it policy to kill all the Mayan Priests and burn all their books when they arrived in Mexico, we would all have more answers.