Early Civilizations

Olmecs Originated in Central America around 1200 B.C. Farmed river banks, created some cities for trade and religious ceremonies Teotihuacan Major city 150,000 people 200 foot temple Make goods that are traded throughout Central America

Maya Located in Yucatan Peninsula A.D. Built large city-states Revolve around a pyramid containing temples and Mesoamerican ballgame courts Often at war with each other

Maya Had a writing system but was destroyed by the Spanish Know less about these cultures than the Egyptians Created a calendar 365 days, 18 months, 20 days each The remaining 5 days were festival days

Maya Ruled by an aristocracy King believed to be descended from the Gods Studied astronomy 2 classes (priests, peasants) Lives revolve around worship Human sacrifice Went into decline and abandoned their cities

Toltecs Very similar to other cultures Brought metal working to Mesoamerica Gold, silver, copper

Aztecs Tenochtitlan-Aztec capitol Told by Gods to settle where they found an eagle perched on a cactus Great warriors (entire area under their control) God King rules the Aztecs Supported by bureaucracy-prime minister, and council of lords (nobles)

Aztecs Consists of nobles, indentured servants, and slaves Indentured servants contract to work the nobles’ land Others are craftsmen and traders Women have some rights Can own land

Aztecs Chief feature is pyramids Larger than Egyptians Quetzalcoatl God of Creation, virtue and learning

Incas In the Highlands (the Andes) Great builders Cities Temples-built of cut stone 24, 800 miles of road Women had fewer rights Expected to raise children Some could be priestesses Cuzco-capitol city

Incas Keep records using a quipu, a system of knotted strings Conquered by Francisco Pizzarro Created terraces for farming potatoes and corn

Terrace Farming