Warm - up What can you tell me that you already know/ have heard about the Olmecs, Mayans, Incas, Aztecs? Where is Mesoamerica? We are going to Computer Lab 105 to explore and be able to explain the cultures of MesoAmerica.

Where did humans first originate? How did people first come to America?

Mesoamerica advanced native civilizations of Central America – Maya, Aztec and Inca. This area stretches south from central Mexico to northern Honduras.

Olmec Mesoamerica’s first known civilization builders!! Rise: Used rivers and flood plain to build cities. Fall: Unsure, Outside invaders may have caused destruction & Olmec may have destroyed own monuments upon the death of their rulers

Location They established themselves in Southern Mexico

Art Lots of humongous (huge) sculpted heads 5ft tall, 8 tons! May have represented particular Olmec rulers

Religion Polytheistic Jaguar Important Animists

Contributions The ‘Mother Culture” Jaguar Ballcourt Game & ceremonial Centers Abundant deposits of salt and tar, as well as fine clay for pottery Also wood and rubber from the rain forest.

Maya Rise: 200 BCE Due to Extensive Trade, Farming Techniques Fall: Frequent warfare between kingdoms disrupted trade, invaders from the north Population growth creates need for more land

Location Guatemala, Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico)

Economy Trade: Food, Feathers, flint, salt Farming: Terrace farming, slash & burn, raised beds in swamps….enabled production of corn, beans, squash

Government City –states with God-Kings Religion Polythestic- Animistic

Religion Continued Chichen-Itza. – sacred Mayan religious center. It means “at the mouth of the well of the Itza” Gods fed on and survived on human blood– human sacrifice.

Arts/Architecture & other Contributions Pyramids – 4 sided temples Tallest structures in MesoAmerica until 1920 Hieroglyph writing system – –One of only five original writing systems invented. Maya math – used zero. & form of decimal system *

Great astronomers - predict eclipses of sun and moon. Believed the earth moved through cycles of birth and destruction. Best-documented calendars of their time. 365 days –December 21st, 2012 – Mayan Day of Doom – The end of this cycle according to the Maya.