Early Societies in the Americas and Oceania Chapter 6 Early Societies in the Americas and Oceania

Early Mesoamerican societies, 1200 B.C.E.-1100 C.E.

Origins of Mesoamerican Societies Migration across Bering land bridge? Probably 13,000 BCE, perhaps earlier By sea from Asia? By 9500 BCE reached southernmost part of South America Hunter/Gatherer societies evolve into agricultural societies

Olmecs 1200-100 BCE The “Rubber People” Ceremonial Centers Olmec Heads San Lorenzo, La Venta, Tres Zapotes Olmec Heads Up to 10 ft tall, 20 tons Transported by dragging, rolling on logs 1000/workers per head

Agriculture and Herding Staple: maize Herding: turkeys, barkless dogs Both food No draft animals No development of wheeled vehicles

Olmec Society Probably authoritarian in nature Large class of conscripted laborers to construct ceremonial sites Also tombs for rulers, temples, pyramids, drainage systems

Mysterious Decline of Olmecs Ceremonial centers destroyed No evidence of warfare Revolution? Civil war?

Maya huge cities discovered in 19th c. 300 BCE-900 CE Terrace Farming Cacao beans hot chocolate Currency Major ceremonial center at Tikal

Maya Warfare Warfare for purposes of capturing enemy soldiers Ritual sacrifice of enemies Enslavement Small kingdoms engage in constant conflict until Chichén Itzá begins to absorb captives Some nevertheless choose death Center of empire develops

Mayan Ritual Calendar Complex math Invention of “Zero” Calendar of 365.242 days (17 seconds off) Solar calendar of 365 days Ritual calendar of 260 days Management of calendar lends authority to priesthood Timing of auspicious moments for agriculture

Mayan Language and Religion Ideographs and a syllable-alphabet Most writings destroyed by Spanish conquerors Deciphering work begins in 1960s Popol Vuh: Mayan creation myth Importance of bloodletting rituals Human sacrifices follow after removal of fingers, piercing to allow blood flow Self-mutilation of penises, earlobes

The Maya Ball Game Ritual form of ball game High-ranking captives, prisoners of war contestants Execution of losers immediately follows the match Bloodletting ritual for the gods

City of Teotihuacan Highlands of Mexico Lakes in area of high elevation Village of Teotihuacan, 500 BCE, expands to become massive city Important ceremonial center Extensive trade network, influenced surrounding areas Begins to decline c. 650 CE, sacked in middle of 8th century, massive library destroyed

Andean Societies Migration into South America c. 12000 BCE Climate improves c. 8000 BCE Largely independent from Mesoamerica Highly individualized due to geography

Chavin Cult New religion in central Andes, 900-300 BCE South America, contemporary Peru Little known about particulars of religion Intricate stone carvings

The Mochica State Valley of the Moche River Dominated northern Peru, 300-700 CE Painting survies One of many states in region, none able to consolidate into empire

Early societies of Oceania, 1500 B.C.E.-700 C.E.

Oceania Prehistoric land bridges, lower seas permit migration Outrigger canoes for open-sea travel Early hunter-gatherer societies in Australia Early agriculture in New Guinea

Aborigine of the Naomi Tribe

Lapita Peoples Found throughout Pacific Islands Agriculture, animal herding Political organization based on chiefdoms Trade over open ocean declines 500 BCE Greater independence of settlements