Chapter 7 - The Americas Section 2: Mesoamerica Aztec and Mayan Empires

Section 2: Mesoamerica Main Idea Civilizations in Mesoamerica were some of the earliest and most advanced in the Americas. Objectives What were the first civilizations in Mesoamerica like? What were some characteristics of Maya civilization? What made the Aztec empire one of the strongest in the ancient Americas?

I. The First Civilizations Mesoamerica - first farming settlements in the Americas

The Olmec carved giant heads from basalt that came from 50 miles away A. The Olmec 1200 BC - AD 300; built first large towns - pyramids, courtyard, giant stone heads The Olmec carved giant heads from basalt that came from 50 miles away

La Venta was the largest Olmec town from 900 BC & 400 BC. A. The Olmec Olmec rulers, priests, and their families lived in towns. Everyone else lived outside town and supported them La Venta was the largest Olmec town from 900 BC & 400 BC.

Artist’s conception of the ancient Olmec city of La Venta A. The Olmec Elite led ceremonies, controlled trade from Gulf of Mexico to Pacific coast Artist’s conception of the ancient Olmec city of La Venta

One of the ballcourts at Xochicalco One of the ballcourts at Xochicalco. Note the characteristic -shape, as well as the ring set above the apron at center court. The setting sun of the equinox shines through the ring.

Ceramic sculpture from a Mexican tomb showing the Mesoamerican ballgame

B. The Zapotec 1500 BC to AD 750 - began as farmers in southern Mexico; 500 BC - built capital city of Monte Albán

B. The Zapotec City of Monte Albán showed Olmec influence - main plaza with pyramids, temples, ball court

C. The Toltec AD 900 to 1200 - highlands of central Mexico; militaristic society - warriors dominated region

Tula, capital city of the Toltec C. The Toltec Built pyramid-shaped temples and spread the worship of their god, Quetzalcoatl Tula, capital city of the Toltec

II. The Maya 1000 BC - Advanced people; occupied Yucatán peninsula – 10 million people in 40 cities

A. Early Maya Civilization AD 250 to 900 - Mayan Classic Age, city-states with own ruler and government The Great Plaza (center) and North Acropolis (top) at Tikal

A. Early Maya Civilization Worshipped many gods; performed rituals – blood offerings and occasional human sacrifice The shaman is about to perform a cha-chac ceremony: a petition to the god, Chac, to send rain

Maya Calendar, called the Sunstone B. Achievements Many advancements in: architecture math - concept of zero astronomy – calendars 365-day farming, 260-day religious Maya Calendar, called the Sunstone

B. Achievements Writing system – glyphs represent objects and sounds; wrote in stone and bark-paper book called a codex

Pot used by the ancient Maya for drinking cacao

III. The Aztecs Early Aztecs - separate farming tribes from northwestern Mexico

A. Rise of the Empire AD 1100s – migrated to Valley of Mexico, settled when they saw an eagle on a cactus eating a snake

A. Rise of the Empire Saw eagle and snake on a swampy island in Lake Texcoco; founded city of Tenochtitlán

A. Rise of the Empire Formed alliance with nearby cities; gained control over huge region beyond Lake Texcoco

TYPICAL AZTEC WARRIOR AND WEAPONS A. Rise of the Empire Aztecs were fierce warriors; conquered 400 to 500 city states; required people to pay tribute TYPICAL AZTEC WARRIOR AND WEAPONS

A. Rise of the Empire Tenochtitlan was the capital city; had temples, markets, palaces and 200,000 people

B. Society and Religion Society organized with king at the top, then priests, warriors, merchants, farmers, and slaves Aztec Tribute List

B. Society and Religion Believed gods needed blood; sacrificed prisoners and slaves to “feed” their sun god

Hernan Cortes and Malinche meet Aztec emperor Moctezuma II B. Society and Religion Late 1400s - Declined due to unrest among conquered peoples; defeated by Spanish in 1521 Hernan Cortes and Malinche meet Aztec emperor Moctezuma II