ancient civilizations the olmec & the maya. the olmec
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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• 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
The Mayan
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
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