Early CivilizationsThe blossoming of life as we know it…

Early Civilizations:In order from oldest-youngest

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The Olmecs3,500 years ago

The Mayas3,000 years ago

The Aztecs700 years ago

The Incas500 years ago

The Olmecs(1200 B.C. – 600 B.C.)

Location

Economy

Art and Science

Government and Religion

Central America:Along the Gulf of Mexico

Farming:Grew Surplus (extra) crops to sell to nearby citiesCarved stone:10ft carved stone headsWell organized government,Different social classes and complex religion

The Mayas(250 A.D. – 900 A.D.)

Location

Economy

Art and Science

Government and Religion

Central America:Mexico/Guatemala

Farming: Maize (corn) was most important cropUsed slash-and-burn agriculture – trees are cut down and burned to clear and fertilize the land.

The Mayan Calendar: Developed to help Mayans know when to hold religious celebrations. (First 365 day calendar like our own)Numbers: First to have concept of “zero”Hieroglyphics: A system of writing using signs and symbolsPriests and Nobles:Most power held by Priests who lived in the center of the city in large palaces. Mayas were Polytheistic.

The Aztecs(1325 A.D. – 1521 A.D.)

Location

Economy

Art and Science

Government and Religion

Central America:Mexico

Farming: Swampy LandAztecs built island gardens to grow crops and even built aqueducts to transport water. Farmers used boats to transport produce to the capital.Aztec Calendar: Based on Mayan calendar. Had 13 months of 20 days each. Astronomy: Aztecs were skilled at studying the stars.Schools: Tenochtitlan (capital city) had schools and a university for boys from noble families.Strict Class System:Emperor royal family, nobles, priests and military leaders soldiers, Artisans (skilled creators of jewelry, pottery, sculpture) farmers (largest group) Slaves (most were prisoners of war)Human Sacrifice: (polytheistic)

Most important god was the Sun god. Priests thought the sun would not have the strength to rise and cross the sky each day without human blood. Without sun, no crops!

The Incas(1400s A.D. – 1535 A.D.)

Location

Economy

Art and Science

Government and Religion

South America:Andes Mountains (Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina)Farming: Terraces - Step-like ledges cut into mountains needed to create flat land to farm.Quipu: a group of knotted strings used to keep track of information like births, deaths and harvests.

Engineering: Used stone to build long lasting buildings and built bridges. Buildings were so well made, most are still standing today. Sapa Inca: Incan ruler/emperor. People believed he was related to the sun-god. He owned all the land and divided it among the people. (Polytheistic)

Census: an official count of the people to keep track of responsibilities and taxes.

The Moundbuilders:Adena Hopewell Mississippians

Time Period

600 B.C. To 100 B.C.

200 B.C. To 400 A.D. 700 A.D. To 1250 A.D.

Location Eastern:Ohio Valley

Eastern:Ohio River

Eastern:Wide-spread

Culture •Mounds used as tombs•Traded long distance

•Lived in small communities•Grew crops and traded

•Learned to dry and store food•traded•had centers of government and religion

What happened?

Unknown Not sure: may have been climate change or overpopulation

Unknown

Native American Groups who built earthen

mounds

Other Natives:Anasazi/Pueblo Plains Woodlands

Time Period

100 To 1300 A.D. 1000s To Today 1000s To Today

Location Southwest:New Mexico

Midwest:Great Plains

USA/Canada:Woodlands

Culture -created jewelry, baskets, and pottery-Built Pueblos: houses made of adobe clay/stone-Used kivas: round rooms for religious ceremonies

-individual groups had own languages and traditions-lived in lodges or tipis

-Fished and hunted-lived in wooden homes-built totem poles (like a family crest)-Men often at war

What happened?

- Severe droughts forced them to abandon their homes.

- European explorers forced natives to share their land and spread diseases- Native Americans still exist, but in fewer numbers

-Joined together with other groups for protection, but still heavily defeated by Europeans.