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The New World

The New World. Civilizations in Mesoamerica and South America. The New World . Significance as a term? Populating the New World? Theories… Reality?. Early Civilizations in Central America. The first civilization in the region appeared in the 1 st Millenium BCE—the Olmec . The Olmec.

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The New World

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  1. The New World Civilizations in Mesoamerica and South America

  2. The New World Significance as a term? Populating the New World? Theories… Reality?

  3. Early Civilizations in Central America The first civilization in the region appeared in the 1stMillenium BCE—the Olmec.

  4. The Olmec • Famous site at La Venta. • Pyramid and Giant Heads.

  5. Pyramid of La Venta • Representative of a flourishing Olmeccivilizaztion that saw them: • Develop widespread trading networks in the region. • Development of agriculture • Development of hieroglyphics

  6. Olmec Civilization Skilled artisans were prized and valued The “Ball Game” and sacrifice Fell into decline about the fourth century BCE Theories?

  7. Teotihuacan: America’s First Metropolis Capital of a kingdom thirty miles from Mexico City. Dominated by the Pyramid of the Sun Evidence of expansive trade…in Cacao, rubber, feathers, and foodstuff. As well as alcohol from the agave plant. Obsidian was valued and prized more than gold. There were 35,000 square foot homes housing hundreds

  8. Decline? Shrouded in mystery Agriculture greatness—declined due to drought Principalities emerged and disrupted centralized structure “Mini-Warring States”

  9. The Chinampa

  10. The Maya

  11. Origins Trace their origin to the Olmec Modern day Mexico *(Yucatan) and Guatemala Milapa Farming More rural than Urban Golden age Maya saw cities such as Tikal approach 100,000 residents. Governed 3,000,000 total.

  12. Mayan Governance Impressive power in the hands of divinely inspired monarchs. Built magnificent structures to honor their glory.

  13. Mayan Culture Men and women? Religion based on a supreme god named “Itzamna” Practice of human sacrifice Ball court Hieroglyphs

  14. Mayan Astronomy and Astrology Interested in the passage of time. Codex have been found chronicling planetary time and movement. Much of their history lost? 2012

  15. Mayan Hiroglyphs

  16. Palenque

  17. Mayan Collapse? Jared Diamond’s interpretation? Culture surviving? Bishop Diego de Landa

  18. Temple of the Inscriptions

  19. The Aztecs Less sophisticated than their predecessors. More warlike (Spartan type war culture) A city state amongst others, they emerged dominant (Zhou)

  20. Aztec politics Power of the monarch had both spiritual and secular responsibilities. Claimed descent from god Intermediary between the material and divine world. Advised by a council of lords Headed by a prime minister and a bureaucracy staffed by hereditary! Had schools for bureaucracy, competitive Collected tribute over subject states

  21. Aztec Rigid Social Order • Emperor • Politicians • Religious leaders • Commoners • Calpullis—groups of commoners grouped in 1000, governed by a chief. • Maintained schools, temples, and lands • Divided again into families • Indentured workers • Slaves • Aztec slavery

  22. Aztec Gender Relations Enjoyed more legal rights than any other Ancient civilization. Could own property Enter into contracts Insist on monongamous marriage

  23. Aztec Religion • Huitzilopochtli • Supreme God of the Aztecs • Bloodletting • Humans could aspire to a heavenly salvation after purgatory. • Based on proper behavior and a final judgement

  24. End of times and sacrifice • Inevitable but can be forestalled by human sacrifice. • Ripping out heart • Honor to be chosen • Diego Duran Document • Even jade is shattered …even gold is crushed…even quetzal plumes are torn…one does not live forever on this earth…we endure only for an instant.

  25. Aztec demise: Hernan Cortes • PS excerpt…

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