THE AMERICAS – Beginnings & Olmec

GEOGRAPHY The Americas Climate 2 continents – North and South America Central America – 7 countries between Mexico and South America Mesoamerica – region that includes the southern part of what is now Mexico and parts of the northern countries of Central America. Climate North American – Sierra Nevada Mountains, desert plateaus, grassy plains, forests, etc. Mesoamerica – rain forests, volcanoes, fertile soil good for farming South America – Andes Mountains, Amazon River and rainforest Geography has played an important role in the development of early societies.

FIRST PEOPLES Most historians believe that the first people walked across a land bridge that crossed the Bering Strait. Others think they may have arrived even earlier by sea from Polynesia. Hunter-gathers, so nomadic Bison and wooly mammoths main food source Gathered fruits, nuts, grains Human Migration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJdT6QcSbQ0&list=PLuT8OI- A6qHGWQb_qaqx2P429FywwbI21

FARMING BEGINS Eventually small settlements formed along the coasts of North and South America, where they fished and gathered food. Populations grew, experimented with seeds, and farming developed. First permanent farming settlements appeared in Mesoamerica where there was rich soil, warm temperatures, and plenty of rain. By 3500 BC, they were growing maize, or corn. Later, they grew beans and squash. More food = larger populations = more advanced societies

THE OLMEC First urban civilization in Mesoamerica around 1200 BC Name means “rubber” or “of the rubber tree.” Mostly small villages with some larger towns. Town were religious and government centers with temples and plazas. Best known for sculptures of huge stone heads made of rock from quarries 50 miles away. What other stone heads have we learned about? What ethnicity do you think they were?

THE OLMEC Built first pyramids in Americas May have developed first writing system in the Americas, have had a calendar Had a large trading network Had gods and religion Civilization mysteriously ended around 400 BC Considered the “mother culture” of later civilizations in Mesoamerica Olmec https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhQRDrJowuM

TO CONSIDER As you look at the next set of slides, consider the following questions: Why did the Olmec chose to locate their civilization in Central America instead of farther north? How do you think they got to the Americas in the first place? Do you think they had contact with civilizations in Africa, Asia, Europe, or the Middle East?

TO CONSIDER . . . The Polynesians The Polynesians were excellent sailors and settled the Pacific islands including Hawaii and Easter island. Sweet potatoes from Peru have been found on the Cook Islands and chickens from Polynesia have been found in Chile. The Olmec civilization had huge stone heads that similar to but predate those of Easter Island.

TO CONSIDER . . . The Vikings Starting in the 9th century AD, Leif Erikson and the Vikings began to explore and settle North America.

TO CONSIDER The Chinese In the 15th century A.D., the Chinese built a massive navy. Chinese boat anchors have been discovered off the coast of Australia. Chinese boat wrecks have been found in Vancouver, Oregon, Mexico, and the Carribbean. The Olmec civilization is much older than this, but do you think later civilizations might have had contact or traded with them?

TO CONSIDER The Egyptians In the mountains of Peru, the peoples ply the waters in reed boats identical to those used by the ancient Egyptians. Is it just a coincidence, or something more?

DISCUSSION Now, turn to a neighbor and discuss these questions: Why did the Olmec chose to locate their civilization in Central America instead of farther north? How do you think they got to the Americas in the first place? Do you think they had contact with civilizations in Africa, Asia, Europe, or the Middle East? Why can’t historians all agree on the answers to these questions?