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Ancient Civilizations. The Olmec & The Maya. The Olmec. What’s Different?. Olmec. Mayan. Physical Environment. Oldest city—San Lorenzo Present day Mexico Located near a river. Architecture. Pyramid like Buildings First to build 2 story houses Made houses out of clay
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Ancient Civilizations The Olmec & The Maya
What’s Different? Olmec Mayan
Physical Environment • Oldest city—San Lorenzo • Present day Mexico • Located near a river
Architecture • Pyramid like Buildings • First to build 2 story houses • Made houses out of clay • Cities were centered around a grand ceremonial mound
Language • Mixe–Zoquean (spoken) • May have been first to develop writing system • Used symbols
Scientific Knowledge • Writing system • Long count calendar system • Concept of Zero • Ballgame
Leisure Activities • “Mesoamerican Ballgame”
Religious Activities • Religious activities were performed by Shamans • Beliefs centered upon a jaguar God • Bloodletting ceremonies
Governing Structure • Hierchial • Rulers
Economic Activities • Trade Systems
Physical Environment • Present day southern Mexico, Guatemala, northern Belize
Architecture • Stepped pyramids • Plazas • Acropolis • Ball sites • Cave sites • Observatories
Language • Fully Developed written system
Scientific Knowledge • Writing • Hieroglyphs • Counting system • Mathematical
Leisure Activities • Art • Ballgames • Music
Religious Beliefs • Rituals • Ceremonies • Human sacrifice • Maize God • Based on celestial cycles
Governing Structure • Polity—headed by a hereditary ruler
Economic Activity • Trade system
The Mound builders Adena, Hopewell, Mississippian
Physical Environment • From Great Lakes to Gulf of Mexico & the Mississippi to the Appalachian Mountains
Architecture • Built Mounds for religious, ceremonial & burial purposes • Flat-topped pyramids
Language • Petroglyphs • No writing system
Scientific Knowledge • Cultivation of corns, beans & squash • Made tools & weapons
Leisure Activities • Pottery • Wove baskets • Carved canoes • Sewing
Religious Beliefs • Animal spirits • Weather spirits • Ancestor Spirits
Governing Structure • Elite class-ruling class • Common class-Food producers/labor force
Economic Activity • Trade