1. SSWH8 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the development of societies in Central and South America.
Explain the rise and fall of the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca empires.
Compare the culture of the Americas; include government, economy, religion, and the arts of the Maya, Aztecs, and Incas.

2. In the Americas, two early civilizations existed: the Olmec, in what we know today as Mexico from 1200 to 1400 B.C.E…..

3. …and the Chavin in the Andres from 900 to 300 B.C.E.

4. The Olmecs
an urban society supported by surpluses of corn, beans, and squash.
Mastered irrigation techniques
Constructed large-scale buildings.
Polytheistic
Developed a system of writing and a calendar.

5. Not River Valleys Olmec nor Chavin developed in a river valley.
Had access to H2O, i.e. streams
No major river for:
Agricultural production
Hub for trade/culture

6. Hypothesis Refutation
River valleys are essential for the emergence of early civilizations.
Disproved by Olmecs and Chavin
In addition:
These civilizations demonstrate that the same patterns of civilizations can develop without exposure to other civilizations.

7. Olmec BCE – 200 CE

8. Meso-American Civilizations
Central American Civilizations
Olmec BCE-200CE
Maya CE
Aztecs

9. Geography Yukatan Peninsula
located on the hot, humid coasts of the Gulf of Mexico
surrounded by rain forests, grasslands, and swamps

10. Olmec Politics Called “Cult of the Jaguar”
City state government that united for religious celebrations under the authority of a Priest/shaman
Dirt and clay pyramids used for political power and religious ceremonies

11. Economics Most were farmers based on power and wealth
priests and government (theocracy) were the most powerful
merchants and craftspeople were next
farmers were the lowest
Most city states had their own language and customs
Colossal Head #10 Basalt San Lorenzo

12. Olmec Religion shaman ruled: Jaguars seen as magical
claimed to shape-change into jaguars
control nature (rain, sun, crops),
fly,
kill enemies from a distance,
and bear off-spring even though they are men.
Jaguars seen as magical
foundation of later Maya civilization.

13. Shaman as jaguar carrying his spirit

14. Riding Crocodiles in the Spirit world

15. Social Life Men: ploughed and planted fields tended crops
hunted and fished
Women/Older girls
housekeeping chores
making clothes
supplying the home with firewood and water
caring for younger children

16. Intellectual Life
Maize Domesticated 3000BCE = major staple crop
cotton, cacao, feathers, pelts, woods, rubber
developed a number system, calendar, and a form of writing

17. Olmec Art: Jade Sculpture (plus giant heads and pyramids)
Olmec Figure
Jade Axe
Were-Jaguar

19. Olmec Influence on the Maya
Maize
Ceremonial centers with temple pyramids
Calendar based on the Olmec one
Ball games
Rituals involving human sacrifice

20. Decline Not known what happened
Their main center, San Lorenzo, was abandoned around 900 BC
Possible reasons: Environmental, important rivers changing course, an invasion.

21. SSWH8 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the development of societies in Central and South America.
Explain the rise and fall of the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca empires.
Compare the culture of the Americas; include government, economy, religion, and the arts of the Maya, Aztecs, and Incas.
List five facts which will help you remember this lesson: