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TRANSCRIPT
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Chapter 6
Early Societies in the Americas and Oceania
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Early Mesoamerican societies, 1200 B.C.E.-1100 C.E.
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Origins of Mesoamerican Societies Migration across Bering land bridge?
Probably 13,000 BCE, perhaps earlier By sea from Asia? By 9500 BCE reached southernmost part of South
America Hunter/Gatherer societies
evolve into agricultural societies
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Olmecs
1200-100 BCE The “Rubber People” Ceremonial Centers
San Lorenzo, La Venta, Tres Zapotes Olmec Heads
Up to 10 ft tall, 20 tons Transported by dragging, rolling on logs 1000/workers per head
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Agriculture and Herding
Staple: maize Herding: turkeys, barkless dogs
Both food No draft animals
No development of wheeled vehicles
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Olmec Society
Probably authoritarian in nature Large class of conscripted laborers to construct
ceremonial sites Also tombs for rulers, temples, pyramids, drainage
systems
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Mysterious Decline of Olmecs
Ceremonial centers destroyed No evidence of warfare Revolution? Civil war?
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Maya
huge cities discovered in 19th c. 300 BCE-900 CE Terrace Farming Cacao beans
hot chocolate Currency
Major ceremonial center at Tikal
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Maya Warfare
Warfare for purposes of capturing enemy soldiers Ritual sacrifice of enemies
Enslavement Small kingdoms engage in constant conflict until
Chichén Itzá begins to absorb captives Some nevertheless choose death Center of empire develops
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Mayan Ritual Calendar
Complex math Invention of “Zero”
Calendar of 365.242 days (17 seconds off) Solar calendar of 365 days Ritual calendar of 260 days
Management of calendar lends authority to priesthood Timing of auspicious moments for agriculture
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Mayan Language and Religion Ideographs and a syllable-alphabet
Most writings destroyed by Spanish conquerors Deciphering work begins in 1960s
Popol Vuh: Mayan creation myth Importance of bloodletting rituals
Human sacrifices follow after removal of fingers, piercing to allow blood flow
Self-mutilation of penises, earlobes
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The Maya Ball Game
Ritual form of ball game High-ranking captives, prisoners of war
contestants Execution of losers immediately follows the
match Bloodletting ritual for the gods
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City of Teotihuacan
Highlands of Mexico Lakes in area of high elevation Village of Teotihuacan, 500 BCE, expands to
become massive city Important ceremonial center
Extensive trade network, influenced surrounding areas
Begins to decline c. 650 CE, sacked in middle of 8th century, massive library destroyed
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Andean Societies
Migration into South America c. 12000 BCE
Climate improves c. 8000 BCE
Largely independent from Mesoamerica
Highly individualized due to geography
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Chavin Cult
New religion in central Andes, 900-300 BCE South America, contemporary Peru
Little known about particulars of religion Intricate stone carvings
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The Mochica State
Valley of the Moche River Dominated northern Peru, 300-700 CE Painting survies One of many states in region, none able to
consolidate into empire
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Early societies of Oceania, 1500 B.C.E.-700 C.E.
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Oceania
Prehistoric land bridges, lower seas permit migration
Outrigger canoes for open-sea travel Early hunter-gatherer societies in Australia Early agriculture in New Guinea
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Aborigine of the Naomi Tribe
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Lapita Peoples
Found throughout Pacific Islands Agriculture, animal herding Political organization based on chiefdoms Trade over open ocean declines 500 BCE
Greater independence of settlements