10/2 Aim: How did early civilizations develop in Central and South America? Do Now: How can farming lead to permanent settlements? HW #4 –due Friday 10/5 mrcotignola.yolasite.com

The Olmec Some of the earliest American cultures arose in Mesoamerica, a region that includes the southern part of what is now Mexico and northern Central America. The Olmec developed the earliest known civilization in Mesoamerica around 1200 BC. The Olmec are known for their stone buildings and sculptures. By 400 BC, when their civilization ended, trade had spread Olmec culture.

The Maya The Maya civilization in Mesoamerica lasted from about 250 to 900 AD. Among other things, it was noted for: 1.---Spectacular cities 2.---The rule of God-kings 3.---The building of pyramids, palaces, temples, and stone carvings.

The Maya Widespread trade, of salt, honey, feathers, flint, and other products The cultivation of cacao (chocolate), which was sometimes used as money A polytheistic religion, which included occasional human sacrifice of captured enemies Important achievements in mathematics (invention of the concept of "zero") and astronomy Construction of an advanced calendar-- the Maya calculated the solar year at days, only.0002 from the correct, modern figure! An advanced writing system, using hieroglyphics

The Aztec The Aztec Empire in Mesoamerica lasted from the 1200s to the 1500s AD. Among other things, it was noted for: 1.---Its large empire of million people, based on military conquest The Aztec forced conquered peoples to pay tribute--if they did not, the Aztec burned villages and massacred people Aztec society ruled by an emperor who was treated like a god.

The Aztec The fabulous city of Tenochtitlan, with a population of 200,000, large than any European city at that time Widespread human sacrifices to the Sun-God. Victims were taken atop the Great Temple, where their hearts were carved out, their blood offered as nourishment to the Sun-God Belief in the return one day of the war-god known as Quetzalcoatl, who would arrive from over the sea to the east. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the 1500s, the Aztec mistook them for Quetzalcoatl. The Spanish quickly and brutally destroyed the Aztec Empire.

The Inca The Inca Empire in South America (based in modern-day Peru) lasted from the 1200s to the 1500s AD. Among other things, it was noted for: 1.---The largest empire ever seen in the Americas Its ruler was believed to be descended from the Sun-God. Dead rulers were mummified. 3.--The Incas allowed conquered people to keep their own customs and rulers as long as they were loyal to the Incans People worked a certain number of days a year on state farms or building roads, palaces and irrigation canals.

5. ---The Incas built a vast road system, with over 14,000 miles of roads The Incas maintained control in part by imposing a single official language and by founding schools to teach people Incan ways Like early Africans, they never developed a writing system, but had a strong oral tradition Worship of nature spirits (moon, stars, thunder, etc.) The Spanish conquistadors conquered the Incas in the 1500s.

Task Imagine you have just finished traveling throughout Central and South America and had a chance to observe one of these civilizations. Write a small diary entry documenting where you went, what you saw and how you felt about the trip.