1. Mesoamerican Archaeology OlmecMayaTeotihuacanToltecAztec

2. Olmec 1939 Matthew Stirling was sent by the Smithsonian and National Geographic to investigate giant stone carvings. 1939 Matthew Stirling was sent by the Smithsonian and National Geographic to investigate giant stone carvings. Olmec means “dweller in the land of rubber”, refers to people who lived along Gulf of Mexico, southern Veracruz, and western Tabasco. Olmec means “dweller in the land of rubber”, refers to people who lived along Gulf of Mexico, southern Veracruz, and western Tabasco. Olmec lived in this area between 1500 B.C. and 100 A.D. Olmec lived in this area between 1500 B.C. and 100 A.D.

3. Olmec Area

4. Characteristic Traits Building of clay pyramids and temple mounds Building of clay pyramids and temple mounds Particular sculptural style Particular sculptural style weeping or snarling jaguar/human infant weeping or snarling jaguar/human infant were-jaguar were-jaguar colossal heads colossal heads basalt monuments basalt monuments Fine jade carving Fine jade carving Basic Mesoamerican civilization Basic Mesoamerican civilization Artifacts with Olmec traits found in preclassic horizons throughout Mesoamerica. Artifacts with Olmec traits found in preclassic horizons throughout Mesoamerica. “Cult of the Jaguar” considered a basic Olmec trait. “Cult of the Jaguar” considered a basic Olmec trait.

5. Were-Jaguar

6. Colossal Heads

7. Important sites Tres Zapotes Tres Zapotes Cerro de las Mesas Cerro de las Mesas San Lorenzo, Veracruz San Lorenzo, Veracruz Oldest Olmec site Oldest Olmec site Occupied by 1500 B.C. Occupied by 1500 B.C. Pottery found from earliest period Pottery found from earliest period La Venta, Tabasco La Venta, Tabasco Contemporaneous to later phases of San Lorenzo Contemporaneous to later phases of San Lorenzo Oriented on a n-s axis on an island in the Rio Tonala Oriented on a n-s axis on an island in the Rio Tonala Includes mounds, plazas, tombs, basalt slab enclosures, and pyramid. Includes mounds, plazas, tombs, basalt slab enclosures, and pyramid. Buried stone offerings Buried stone offerings jade and serpentine celts jade and serpentine celts

8. Basalt Altars-La Venta

9. Maya Slow, gradual change. Slow, gradual change. Did not develop overnight. Did not develop overnight. Due to several factors resource concentration, population growth, beginnings of cultural variability, development of ideologies, migration of ideas from other cultures Due to several factors resource concentration, population growth, beginnings of cultural variability, development of ideologies, migration of ideas from other cultures Small Kingdoms, No centralized state. Small Kingdoms, No centralized state. succession of regional centers succession of regional centers not really dominant over neighbors not really dominant over neighbors

10. Regions Pacific Coastal Plain Pacific Coastal Plain Izapa-elaborate stone carvings Izapa-elaborate stone carvings Monte Alto-collosal heads (contact with Olmec), also pot belly boulders. Monte Alto-collosal heads (contact with Olmec), also pot belly boulders. Southeast Periphery Southeast Periphery Copan-evidence of interaction with western areas of MesoAm during the preclassic (700-500 B.C.). Copan-evidence of interaction with western areas of MesoAm during the preclassic (700-500 B.C.). Southeastern Highlands Southeastern Highlands Chalcuapa-one of the important highland centers,important for trade in pottery. Chalcuapa-one of the important highland centers,important for trade in pottery. Tikal investigations in the 1950s, national park around the site, 300 B.C. to 300 A.D. developed into a huge city. Tikal investigations in the 1950s, national park around the site, 300 B.C. to 300 A.D. developed into a huge city. Uaxactun basic chronological sequence of pottery for area. Uaxactun basic chronological sequence of pottery for area. Yucatan Peninsula and Belize Yucatan Peninsula and Belize Cerros-exploited marine resources, adopted kingship by 50B.C. Cerros-exploited marine resources, adopted kingship by 50B.C.

11. Mayan Regions

12. Palenque

13. Uaxactun

14. Uxmal

15. Tikal

16. Mayan Writing Maya codices Maya codices most elaborate of writing medium, must have existed in the thousands, but only a few left. most elaborate of writing medium, must have existed in the thousands, but only a few left. made out of bark paper, or deer skin. made out of bark paper, or deer skin. prepared from the inner bark of trees, fibers soaked in lime and then beaten smooth. prepared from the inner bark of trees, fibers soaked in lime and then beaten smooth. once dry it was white-washed with a thin coat of limestoneor gypsum paste. once dry it was white-washed with a thin coat of limestoneor gypsum paste. Stelae Stelae Stone carvings Stone carvings Most common today Most common today

17. Mayan Hieroglyphs

18. Calendar System Calender Round Calender Round basic unit was a day, not broken down further. basic unit was a day, not broken down further. two recurring cycles of time 260-day and 365-day ran simultaneously making up a period of 52 years. two recurring cycles of time 260-day and 365-day ran simultaneously making up a period of 52 years. 260-day cycle (Maya:Tzokin, Aztec:Tonalpohualli) 260-day cycle (Maya:Tzokin, Aztec:Tonalpohualli) primarily religious and divinatory primarily religious and divinatory guidance of daily affairs guidance of daily affairs 20 named days, combined with numbers 1-13, in which the exact combination of name and number would recur every 260 days. 20 named days, combined with numbers 1-13, in which the exact combination of name and number would recur every 260 days. not based on natural phenomenon. not based on natural phenomenon. 365-day cycle (Maya:Haab, Aztec:Xihuitl) 365-day cycle (Maya:Haab, Aztec:Xihuitl) 18 named months of 20 days each, plus 5 additional days of apprehension and bad luck at the end of the year. 18 named months of 20 days each, plus 5 additional days of apprehension and bad luck at the end of the year. Days numbered from 0-19, and to return to any given date, 52 years would have to pass. Days numbered from 0-19, and to return to any given date, 52 years would have to pass. Prophesy that “this world” will end in 2012. Prophesy that “this world” will end in 2012.

20. Converting the Mayan Calendar http://www.pauahtun.org/cgi-bin/mayagreg.py http://www.pauahtun.org/cgi-bin/mayagreg.py http://www.pauahtun.org/cgi-bin/mayagreg.py

21. Agriculture Patterns Localized intensive agriculture Localized intensive agriculture gardening took place in zones of good moisture. gardening took place in zones of good moisture. Expansive Cultivation (900 B.C.) Expansive Cultivation (900 B.C.) shifting cultivation shifting cultivation corn farming with swidden or slash/burn, family of five needs 3,000 pounds of corn per year. corn farming with swidden or slash/burn, family of five needs 3,000 pounds of corn per year. Wetland cultivation (Extensive-Intensive) Wetland cultivation (Extensive-Intensive) being increasingly pressed by population. being increasingly pressed by population. Chinampas-swamps were being drained and drainage canals built., located with radar imagery. Chinampas-swamps were being drained and drainage canals built., located with radar imagery. the largest cities are located on the edges of these swamps. the largest cities are located on the edges of these swamps.

22. Floating Gardens

23. Settlement Patterns and Population Sizes No direct evidence for census material, so use indirect means. No direct evidence for census material, so use indirect means. Counting house mounds Counting house mounds Volumetric assessments of the masses of formal architecture in the civic centers. Volumetric assessments of the masses of formal architecture in the civic centers. House Structures House Structures small platforms of clay, earth and stone. small platforms of clay, earth and stone. Thatched roofs, wattle and daub. Thatched roofs, wattle and daub. Lowlands areas seem that peak population was Late Classic (A.D. 1000) Lowlands areas seem that peak population was Late Classic (A.D. 1000)

24. The Mesoamerican Ballgame Called tlachtli by the Aztecs, game played with hard rubber ball. Called tlachtli by the Aztecs, game played with hard rubber ball. Spanish document stone rings as goals, but those dating before 700 A.D. do not have them. Spanish document stone rings as goals, but those dating before 700 A.D. do not have them. Typically i-shaped courts, balls weighing up to 5 pounds. Typically i-shaped courts, balls weighing up to 5 pounds. ball had to be kept in motion ball had to be kept in motion could not be hit with hands or feet could not be hit with hands or feet associated with fertility, death, militarism and sacrifice. associated with fertility, death, militarism and sacrifice. sacrifice of defeated team members docmented in late accounts. sacrifice of defeated team members docmented in late accounts.

25. Ballcourt

26. Watch a Ballgame http://www.ballgame.org/sub_section.asp? section=3&sub_section=1 http://www.ballgame.org/sub_section.asp? section=3&sub_section=1 http://www.ballgame.org/sub_section.asp? section=3&sub_section=1 http://www.ballgame.org/sub_section.asp? section=3&sub_section=1

27. Basin of Mexico-Teotihuacan Teotihuacan Teotihuacan Investigated archaeologically first in 1800s, but disastrous results- desturction of monuments. Investigated archaeologically first in 1800s, but disastrous results- desturction of monuments. In 1960s began the Teotihuacan Project. In 1960s began the Teotihuacan Project. explore and reconstruct ceremonial centers. explore and reconstruct ceremonial centers. also Basin of Mexico survey project. also Basin of Mexico survey project. Founding of the City Founding of the City Valley settled as early as 900 B.C., but no large settlement until 300 B.C. Valley settled as early as 900 B.C., but no large settlement until 300 B.C. Populated by people from mountains to the east (Tlaxcala). Populated by people from mountains to the east (Tlaxcala). Several reasons for population move: Several reasons for population move: caves which are related to religion and mythology. caves which are related to religion and mythology. humans, sun and moon came from center of the earth. humans, sun and moon came from center of the earth. entrance to the Underworld. entrance to the Underworld. network of caves and tunnels under the network of caves and tunnels under the Pyramids of the sun and the moon. Pyramids of the sun and the moon. close obsidian resources. close obsidian resources. nearby springs for irrigation. nearby springs for irrigation.

28. Teotihuacan Size and Construction Size and Construction At its height, around 125,000 people and covering 22 sq kilometers. At its height, around 125,000 people and covering 22 sq kilometers. More ceremonial centers than any other prehispanic site. More ceremonial centers than any other prehispanic site. Planned and laid out along a rectilinear network of roads and paths. Planned and laid out along a rectilinear network of roads and paths. Avenue of the Dead-major north to south axis. Avenue of the Dead-major north to south axis. East and West Avenues divided the city into quadrants. East and West Avenues divided the city into quadrants. The “citadel” was at their center. The “citadel” was at their center. In front of this was the great compound. In front of this was the great compound.

29. Temples and Pyramids Constructed with Talud-tablero architecture Constructed with Talud-tablero architecture cut stone facing cut stone facing Framed panels (tablero) Framed panels (tablero) sloping basal elements (talud) sloping basal elements (talud) 5000 known structures. 5000 known structures. Pyramid of the Sun Pyramid of the Sun 212 ft high, 700 ft wide, 35,000,000 cu ft of fill (equivalent to 10 modern oil tankers). 212 ft high, 700 ft wide, 35,000,000 cu ft of fill (equivalent to 10 modern oil tankers). cave located underneath with sacred objects in it. cave located underneath with sacred objects in it. Pyramid of the Moon Pyramid of the Moon located at the north end of the avenue of the dead. located at the north end of the avenue of the dead. Temple of the Feathered Serpent (at the Citadel) Temple of the Feathered Serpent (at the Citadel) Residential structures Residential structures apartment compounds apartment compounds

30. Pyramid of the Sun

31. Temple of Quetzalcoatl

32. Avenue of the Dead

33. Decline of Teotihuacan During the period from 600-900 A.D. During the period from 600-900 A.D. Site not abandoned, but population decreased. Site not abandoned, but population decreased. Some buildings burned between 600-700 A.D. Some buildings burned between 600-700 A.D. may be symbolic as in the case of the Olmec destroying heads, associated with the loss of power. may be symbolic as in the case of the Olmec destroying heads, associated with the loss of power.

34. Tula and the Toltecs A.D. 900-1200 A.D. 900-1200 Development of city north of Teotihuacan after its collapse in 900 A.D. Development of city north of Teotihuacan after its collapse in 900 A.D. located on the Tula river and near the Lerma rivers for easy communication with others. located on the Tula river and near the Lerma rivers for easy communication with others. this new capital was closer to the northern limits of agriculture. this new capital was closer to the northern limits of agriculture. Toltec history embellished by Aztecs, Spaniards and others after their collapse in 1200 A.D. Toltec history embellished by Aztecs, Spaniards and others after their collapse in 1200 A.D.

35. Tula Grande Was occupied during the prime phase of Tula 950-1150 A.D. Was occupied during the prime phase of Tula 950-1150 A.D. 13 km in area, with a population of 30- 60,000 residents. 13 km in area, with a population of 30- 60,000 residents. craftspeople, tradespeople, religious leaders, but not farmers. craftspeople, tradespeople, religious leaders, but not farmers. workshops included manos and metates makers. toolmakers. workshops included manos and metates makers. toolmakers. city laid out on n-s axis. city laid out on n-s axis.

36. Tula

37. Atlantids

38. Rise of the Aztec From A.D. 1200 to A.D. 1370 the Basin of Mexico was occupied by various central Mexican peoples. From A.D. 1200 to A.D. 1370 the Basin of Mexico was occupied by various central Mexican peoples. Chichimec people settled in the area from the North and gradually overcame the people living there at that time. Chichimec people settled in the area from the North and gradually overcame the people living there at that time. primarily due to Xolotl, who ruled a somewhat barbaric horde. primarily due to Xolotl, who ruled a somewhat barbaric horde. Technically squatted in the area of Tenochtitlan and were know as the Mixeca but today Aztecs is more common. Technically squatted in the area of Tenochtitlan and were know as the Mixeca but today Aztecs is more common.

39. Basin of Mexico

40. Tenochtitlan

41. Tenochtitlan Reconstruction

42. Moctezuma II

43. Human Sacrifice

44. Skull Rack

45. Spanish Arrival: Cortes Spanish arrive in A.D. 1519 at Vera Cruz. Spanish arrive in A.D. 1519 at Vera Cruz. March inland to Tenochtitlan March inland to Tenochtitlan Received by Moctezuma II, who was then held captive by Cortes and his men. Received by Moctezuma II, who was then held captive by Cortes and his men. Moctezuma II dies, replaced by nephew (dies almost immediately from small pox), replaced by another nephew: Cuahtemoc. Moctezuma II dies, replaced by nephew (dies almost immediately from small pox), replaced by another nephew: Cuahtemoc.

46. Mexico Revolts The siege began on May 21, 1521 and lasted for 85 days. The siege began on May 21, 1521 and lasted for 85 days. Finally ended when the Spanish captured the northeast section of the city and eventually conquered the remaining Aztecs. Finally ended when the Spanish captured the northeast section of the city and eventually conquered the remaining Aztecs. Cuauhtemoc sets our from the city and surrenders to Cortes sometime around August 14, 1521. Cuauhtemoc sets our from the city and surrenders to Cortes sometime around August 14, 1521.