a.explain the rise and fall of the olmec, maya, aztec, and inca empires. b.compare the culture of...
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SSWH8 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the development of societies in Central and South America.
a.Explain the rise and fall of the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca empires.
b.Compare the culture of the Americas; include government, economy, religion, and the arts of the Maya, Aztecs, and Incas.
In the Americas, two early civilizations existed: the Olmec, in
what we know today as Mexico from 1200 to 1400 B.C.E…..
…and the Chavin in the Andres from 900 to 300
B.C.E.
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.
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
Hypothesis Refutation
Hypothesis: 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.
Olmec 1500 BCE – 200 CE
Meso-American Civilizations
Central American CivilizationsOlmec -
1500BCE-200CE
Maya 200-1200CE
Aztecs 1350-1530
Geography Yukatan
Peninsula located on the
hot, humid coasts of the Gulf of Mexico
surrounded by rain forests, grasslands, and swamps
Olmec PoliticsCalled “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
EconomicsMost were farmersbased 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
http://isis.csuhayward.edu/dbsw/anthropology/miller/3250/03olmec/aolmec2.html#PHOTO%20GALLERY:
Olmec Religion shaman ruled:
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.
Shaman as jaguar carrying his spirit
Riding Crocodiles in the Spirit world
Social LifeMen: ploughed and
planted fields tended crops hunted and fishedWomen/Older girls housekeeping chores making clothes supplying the home
with firewood and water
caring for younger children
Intellectual LifeMaize
Domesticated 3000BCE = major staple crop
cotton, cacao, feathers, pelts, woods, rubber
developed a number system, calendar, and a form of writing
Olmec Art: Jade Sculpture(plus giant heads and pyramids)
Jade Axe Were-Jaguar Olmec Figure
http://isis.csuhayward.edu/dbsw/anthropology/miller/3250/03olmec/aolmec2.html#PHOTO%20GALLERY:
Olmec Influence on the Maya
Maize Ceremonial
centers with temple pyramids
Calendar based on the Olmec one
Ball games Rituals involving
human sacrifice
Decline Not known what
happened Their main
center, San Lorenzo, was abandoned around 900 BC
Possible reasons: Environmental, important rivers changing course, an invasion.
SSWH8 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the development of societies in Central and South America.
a. Explain the rise and fall of the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca empires.
b. 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:• • • • •