Olmec and Chavin

MesoamericaEarthquakesVolcanoesMountain rangesValley of MexicoTropical highlandsRain forestsGulf of Mexico

Ecology and EconomySpecialized technologies developed

Exploited plants, minerals (obsidian, quartz, jade)

Trade across ecological boundariesEnhanced trade increased agri

production--< urbanization emergence f powerful religious and political elites

Never a political unified region, though shared technologies, religious beliefs, political organizations, art, architecture, and sports

Olmec1200-400 BCEOn bay of CampecheVeracruz and Tabasco

Olmec Economy and DevelopmentUrbanization due to agri production

FishingCorn, beans squash (domesticated)Manioc

Produced food surpluses specialization and social stratification emergence of religious and political elitesWho organized the digging of irrigation

and drainage canals; raised fields; large scale building

EconomiesTrade among (perhaps) San Lorenzo, Tres

Zapotes, and La VentaExchange of specialized products

Salt, cacao, clay, limestone

Achievements and society Large artificial platforms (mounds)

Elite residences? Center for rituals and politics ?

Cities laid out in alignment w/stars (importance of astronomy)Labor sources? Skilled labor?

Kingship (both religious and secular)Colossal Heads

Rulers? Important figures (celebrities?)Near major urban centers

Achievements and society Organized labor

Increased food productionReliableDiverse

Religious ritualsGods and bloodHuman sacrificePolytheistic

Dual natured deities (male/female; human/animal) Jaguars, crocodiles, snakes, sharks, condors

Shamans and healers Form of writing, calendar, ball games

Not an empire

Chavin900-250 BCEAndes MountainsDiverse environment

MountainsCoastal plainsJungles

specialization due to regionSeen through trade b/w foothills and mountain

areas

The largest pyramid of Caral is Pirámide Mayor; which is 450 ft. By 500 ft. and 60 ft. tall. A 30-foot-wide staircase rises from a sunken circular plaza at the foot of the pyramid, passing over three terraced levels until it reaches the top of the platform. The platform top contains the remains of an atrium and a large fireplace. It should be pointed out; the pyramid is not really a pyramid at all, but more akin to the platform mounds used for the same purposes by the ancient Mississippians of central United States.

Economic SignificanceChavin de Huantar

Intersection of trade routes connecting multiple areas

Allowed rulers to control trade and gain economic advantages

Ceremonial and commercial centerMaize food surplus urbanization Reciprocal labor obligations (think family)

Roads, bridges, temples, palaces, irrigation, textiles

Llamas

Society and religionPlatform building (cut stone and adobe)Relief carvingsPolytheistic

Serpents, condors, jaguars Belief in afterlife (burial sites)

Metallurgy develops hereGold, silver, gold alloy

Pottery, sculpture, textilesClass distinctions

Priests chiefs/kings peasants populations