Before Columbus:The Americas of 1491

Mr. Miller7th Grade Social Studies

Introduction• First Americans Migrated here

15,000-35,000 years ago• America 3 types of societies

emerged:•Sedentary: Stays put (agriculture)

•Semi-sedentary: Moves with animal herds

•Non-sedentary: Hunter/gatherers

Overview• We will discuss:

• Mesoamerica• Maya• Inca• Aztec• Pueblo• Other various civilizations

Native America, AD 1492This is what we refer to as the “New World”

History• How old was the “New World?”

• Recent discoveries have shown that civilization in the America’s began earlier than anyone thought.

• Just as old as the first civilizations in Europe, Asia, and Egypt

Interesting Facts• It is often said

that agriculture began about 11,000 years ago in the Middle East by the Sumerians, creating our “first” civilizations.

• Civilizations of America emerged about 3,500 years ago. Or so we thought!!!

Who were the first “Americans”• Archaeologists, who study ancient people

and civilizations, are finding signs of the first American’s presence before 10,000 BC or 12,000 years ago.

• Like the mummy makers in the Atacama Desert (South America)

America’s first Urban Complex, 3000-1800 BC• Radiocarbon dating

suggests a possibility that the people of Norte Chico (Peru) were building pyramids before the ancient Egyptians.

• Large homes were discovered dated around 2600 BC

Genetic Engineering• In the United States maize is called “corn”• Was created 6,000 years ago• 11,500 years ago, Americans were living in

caves. They were hunters.• Over the next 2000 years animals became

scarce.• They turned to plants for food!

Genetic Engineering• When you think of corn, you see yellow

kernels.• Maize, in fact, can be red, blue, yellow,

orange, black, pink, purple, creamy white, and even multicolored.

• Maize was the size of a baby’s hand, with kernels no bigger than grains of rice.

Genetic Engineering• “Corn” descended from its closest relative,

teosinte, a wild mountain grass.

Olmec - - The Big Stone Head• In 1938, a big stone head was discovered

in Veracruz, Mexico.• Referred to as the “mother culture”

Olmec - - The Big Stone Head• Nobody knows what the Olmec called

themselves, but it wasn’t “Olmec.” - - “people of the land of rubber.”

• Thought to have invented rubber.• Were an agricultural people.• Most known for constructing giant stone

heads!

Olmec ScultptureFound in 1938 in Tres Zapotes, Mexico

Maya• After the Olmec, Mesoamerica was ruled

by the Maya peoples.• Made many advances in art and

architecture.• Built Large cities, that included giant

temples, shrines, marketplaces, and courts for games.

• At the height of their reign, the disappeared…..Just like that!

Ancient Mayan CalendarPreviously thought to predict the end of the world on December 21, 2012……WRONG

Aztec• Lived in the capital city Tenochtitlan,

located on an island in Lake Texcoco.• The city was built on logs and mud, and is

said to have had a population of 140,000.• Aztec used communities under a single

government.• Had military alliances and warfare to

control the weaker communities.• In war they would take prisoners to use for

Human sacrifice.

Jaguar WarriorLook at his “uniform” and weapon of choice.

Inca - - AD 1300- AD1500• Lived in what is now Peru, South America• Created a vast civilization with over 10

million inhabitants.• United under a set of laws.• Created a political system, early clock,

calendar, and a road system that ran the entire Pacific coast.

Macchu PicchuIncan lived on Mountains, and practice terraced farming

Pueblo• In Modern day Arizona and New Mexico• Used irrigation to build farms in the desert.• Lived in mud-brick homes under steep

mountain cliffs.• Provided shade from the sun and

protection from enemies.

Pueblo at Mesa Verde

Questions & Answers• Invite questions from the audience