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Explore the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec civilizations in Mesoamerica, focusing on their locations, social structures, contributions, and decline. Learn about their political systems, economies, religions, and significant achievements in architecture, agriculture, science, and more. Discover the impact of these ancient civilizations on global history.
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What were the Characteristics & Contributions of Mesoamerican Civilizations? Global History & Geography 10th Grade Boys & Girls Al-Madinah School 4 January 2020
Mesoamerica • The Region between the Two Americas that was civilized before the arrival of the Europeans, which includes Mexico, and Central America. • Civilizations emerged here around 8000 B.C. • First major civilization is the Olmec Civilization
Characteristics and Achievements of Olmecs • Location: Swampy Areas of the Gulf Coast of Mexico • Period: 1400 B.C. – 400 B.C. • Built Ceremonial Centers instead of cities • Included pyramid shaped-temples and other buildings • Invented a calendar and writing system made up of carved inscriptions • Devotion to religion & special honor to priests • Mother civilization of the Americas.
Maya Civilization • Location: Southern Mexico & Central America • Time: C.E. 300 to 900 • Politics: Feuding city-states • Economy: Agriculture & Trade • Religion: • Elaborate rituals for good harvest and victory in war • Priest occupied high position in the society
Maya contd…. • Social Structure: Ruling Chief (king), Nobles and Farmers/traders. • Contributions: • Architecture: giant pyramid-temples and large palaces. Elaborate carvings and paintings on the wall • Agriculture: Raised crops by clearing rainforest and then building raised fields • Learning and Science: • Hieroglyphic writing system • Accurate 365 day calendar • Numbering system with the concept of zero. • Decline: around C.E. 900 Mayas abandoned the cities.
The Aztecs • Location: Central Mexico • Time-Period: 1200 C.E. – Early 1500s C.E. • Political System: • Built an empire by conquering all peoples of Mexico. • Established their capital at Tenochtitlan in 1315. • Got tribute from the conquered peoples • Included 30 million people by 1500s. • Social Structure: • Rulers, Nobles, and Priests • Warriors and Traders • Farmers and Slaves
Aztecs • Religion: • Sun god was the chief deity • A huge Pyramid-Temple was dedicated to sun-god at Tenochtitlan • Priests were powerful • They performed human sacrifice to please their gods
Aztecs: Contributions • Learning & Science: • Accurate calendar • Schools were established • Recorded historical events • Advanced medical practices • Architecture and Engineering • City of Tenochtitlan in Lake Texcoco • Causeways to connect the city to mainland • Pyramid Temples and many buildings including emperor’s palace • Agriculture: Chinampas [Floating Garden]
Homework • Questions 1, 2, 4, 5 & 6 on page 358
What were the Characteristics and Contributions of South American Civilizations? Global History & Geography 4 January 2020
Inca Civilization • Location: Andes Mountains • Time-Period: 1400s & early 1500s C.E. • Political Structure: • A Huge Centralized Empire • Emperor had absolute power • Land, mines and Herds were all owned by Emperor • Capital was Cuzco • Everybody had to speak Quechua language • Empire connected by roads
Inca Civilization • Society: • Emperor – chief political and religious leader • Nobles: Ran provinces and military • Lower label officials collected taxes, enforced laws and performed routine govt. business. • Farmers • Religion: Polytheistic
Inca Contributions; • Engineering & Architecture • Thousands of miles of roads, bridges, tunnels, stepped passes. • City Of Cuzco & Its Stone buildings • Agriculture • Terrace farming • Communication: Quipu • Science: Surgery, herbs as antiseptics.
Homework • Questions 1, 2, 4, 5 & 6 on page 362
