1. The Americas: A Separate World Chapter 9

2. Vocabulary Beringia: Land bridge between Asia and North America (Russia/Alaska) Ice Age: Period of extreme cold, glaciers roamed the northern areas, lowered sea levels Maize: Corn Mesoamerica: Approximately “Central America” Olmec: First known Mesoamerican civilization Zapotec: 2 nd Mesoamerican civilization, (SW)

3. Early Mesoamerican Civilizations A. Mesoamerica’s Mother Culture – 1. The Rise of Olmec Civilization (1200- 400 BC) Lived along the Gulf Coast of Mexico Abundant deposits of salt, tar, wood, and rubber Large Rivers provided transport and fertile farmland

4. Mesoamerican Civilizations – 2. Olmec Society Famous for large stone monuments Olmec worshipped nature gods Most important was jaguar – central to Olmec religion – 3. Trade and Commerce Spread Olmec influence throughout Mesoamerica Olmec left no written records

6. Mesoamerican Civilizations B. Zapotec Civilization Arises – 1. Peoples of the Oaxaca Valley Zapotec ruled over the Oaxaca Valley from 400 BC to 600 AD Developed early forms of hieroglyphic writing and a calendar City contained large stone monuments, temples, and palaces Carvings show Olmec influence

8. Mesoamerican Cultures C. The Early Mesoamerican’s Legacy – The religions and urban design of the Olmec influenced Aztec society – Zapotec calendar and writing systems were copied by later peoples

9. Andes Civilizations Flourish Nazca/Moche Culture – Southern coast of Peru 200 B.C-600 A.D. – Beautiful Textiles and Pottery – Nazca Lines

14. Time to Study!!!