The Americas By: Dominic Diaz Andrew Cuccia Della Wolf Max Patton Anthony Betancourt

Chapter 9 Vocab UNIT ONE Beringia: An ancient land bridge over which the earliest Americans are believed to have migrated from Asia into the Americans Ice Age: Cold period in which huge ice sheets spread outward from the polar regions, the last one of which lasted from about 1,600,000 to 10,000 B.C Maize: A cultivated cereal grain that bears its kernels on UNIT TWO Mesoamerica: an area extending from central Mexico to Honduras, where several of the ancient complex societies of the Americas developed. Olmec: The earliest known Mesoamerican civilization, which flourished around 1200 B.C and influenced later societies throughout the region Zapotec: Civilization Mesoamerican civilization that was centered in the Oaxaca Valley of what is now Mexico UNIT THREE Chavin: The first major South American civilization, which flourished in the highlands of what is now Peru from about 900 to 200 B.C Nazca: A civilization that flourished on what is now the southern coast of Peru from about 200 B.C to A.D . 600. : A civilization that flourished on what is now the northern coast of Peru from about A.D. 100 to 700.

Section 1: Hunters and Farmers in the Americas

The American Continents include North and South America The Americas were connected to Asia by land bridge called Beringia Wild animals from Siberia migrated to the Americas by using the Beringia Strait and Siberian hunters followed these animals becoming the first Americans The first Americans arrived towards the end of the Ice Age

The earliest Americans lived as hunters The most challenging and rewarding prey was the Mastodon With the end of the Ice Age, 12,000 to 10,000 years ago, Beringia melted Humans inhabited most regions of the Americas and adapted to the different environments that they inhabited Archaeologists found the first Americans because of their discovery of spearheads and charred bones

The early Americans began to experiment with simple methods of farming and these efforts led to the birth of agriculture Corn became the most important crop because of how they flourished in the tropical climate in Mexico Farming became known as being efficient and productive People started to turn their attention to nonagricultural pursuits like arts and crafts, building trades, and other fields.

Section 2: Early Mesoamerican Civilizations

Mesoamericans first known civilization builders were a people known as the Olmec. A worker clearing a field in southeastern mexico uncovered a stone sculpture. This head was a remnant of the Olmec civilization. The Olmec civilizations was founded in the jungles of Southern Mexico

Oaxaca is a rugged region of mountains and valleys in southern mexico. Around 500 B.C. zapotec civilization took a major leap forward. Zapotec built the first real urban center in the Americas. The Zapotec controlled the Oaxaca valley and the surrounding region.

Both Zapotec and Olmec civilizations eventually collapsed. Olmec contributed to later Mesoamerican civilizations. Olmec left behind the notions of planned ceremonial centers. The Zapotec left behind their own legacy.

Section 3: Early Civilizations of the Andes

Known as chavin flourished from 900 B.C. to 200 B.C. Chavin period The first influential civilization in South America arose not on the coast but in the mountains. Known as chavin flourished from 900 B.C. to 200 B.C. Culture spread quickly across much of northern and central peru Archaeologists have found no evidence of political or economic organization in their culture

Nazca The Nazca culture flourished along the southern coast of peru from 200 B.C. to A.D. 600 The area where they settled was extremely dry so they developed an extensive irrigation systems ,Underground canals , to allow farming They Nazca are known for their beautiful textiles and pottery Nazca made huge drawing by scraping away the stone to reveal the soil underneath ,drawing depict various plants and animals.

11. How do archaeologists know that the first Americans lived as hunters? A They time-traveled back in time B. Their discovery of Spearheads and charred bones at ancient sites C. Archaeologists assume that they’re hunters D. The ghosts of the first Americans told them

12. Why was corn such an important food crop to the people of Mexico and Central America? A. Highly nourished B. Grew in the tropical climate C. Grow enough to live for a long time D. All of the above

13. What were the main differences between hunter-gatherer societies and those based primarily on agriculture? A. Hunter-gatherers spend the majority of their time finding food and stayed in small groups. People who were based on agriculture have more enjoyable lives and have a steady source of food B. hunter-gatherers are more educated while the people based on agriculture are dumb C. h/g are vegetarians and people based on agriculture are on a meat based diet D. h/g live easier lives while people based on agriculture live a more difficult life

A. The jungles of Southern Mexico B. China C. Africa 14. Where did the Olmec, the Americas’ first known civilization, arise? A. The jungles of Southern Mexico B. China C. Africa D. The United States of America .

15. How did the Olmec influence the Zapotec civilization? Through their ary and how they also left behind notions of ceremonial resources The Olmec had a book of laws that Zapotec civilization adopted The Zapotecs were spying on the Olmecs All of the above