Early Societies in the Americas Early Societies in the Americas and Oceania and Oceania

Ch. 6 Ch. 6

Peopling the Americas and Peopling the Americas and OceaniaOceania

Land bridgesLand bridges Overseas migration as well Overseas migration as well Left Asia before Neolithic RevolutionLeft Asia before Neolithic Revolution

Mesoamerica Mesoamerica

c. 13,000 BCE large scale migration c. 13,000 BCE large scale migration from Siberia to Alaska from Siberia to Alaska

By 7000 BCE hunted most large game By 7000 BCE hunted most large game into extinction into extinction

Agricultural & fishing became more Agricultural & fishing became more prominent prominent

Early Agricultural Early Agricultural

Experiment w/ag c. 8000-7000 BCEExperiment w/ag c. 8000-7000 BCE corn./maize c. 4000 BCEcorn./maize c. 4000 BCE Villages dev. C. 3000 BCE Villages dev. C. 3000 BCE More interest in cultivation than More interest in cultivation than

domestication domestication No beasts of burden, no wheel No beasts of burden, no wheel

Ceremonial/Religious CentersCeremonial/Religious Centers

Large ceremonial centers that served a Large ceremonial centers that served a number of villages in an area number of villages in an area

few inhabitants lived full time in few inhabitants lived full time in ceremonial centers ceremonial centers

Large gatherings for religious days or Large gatherings for religious days or market days market days

Olmecs Olmecs

True name unknown True name unknown C. 1200 BCE – San Lorenzo – major C. 1200 BCE – San Lorenzo – major

ceremonial center ceremonial center Abundant rainfall – cooperative projects Abundant rainfall – cooperative projects

were for drainage were for drainage

Olmec Society Olmec Society

Likely autocratic Likely autocratic Commoners – paid taxes in the form of Commoners – paid taxes in the form of

crops and labor crops and labor Co-operative projects – architecture & Co-operative projects – architecture &

decoration as well as agriculture decoration as well as agriculture Giant Stone Heads – large stone Giant Stone Heads – large stone

sculpturessculptures Huge pyramids (La Venta) Huge pyramids (La Venta)

Decline of the OlmecsDecline of the Olmecs

By 400 BCE – Olmecs in decline By 400 BCE – Olmecs in decline Demise still uncertain Demise still uncertain Intentional destruction of ceremonial Intentional destruction of ceremonial

centers centers Revolution ?, civil war ???, Revolution ?, civil war ???,

invasion????invasion???? Foundation for later Mesoamerican Foundation for later Mesoamerican

culturescultures

The Maya (300 BCE-900 CE)The Maya (300 BCE-900 CE)

Large population growth Large population growth Huge cities (Tikal – largest)Huge cities (Tikal – largest) Long distance tradeLong distance trade Dev. of written languageDev. of written language Priestly class dominatedPriestly class dominated Terrace farming – Terrace farming –

- Maize, cotton, cacao beansMaize, cotton, cacao beans

Mayan WarfareMayan Warfare

Chronic – mostly with other MayansChronic – mostly with other Mayans More important to capture than killMore important to capture than kill Brief imperial period – 800-1000’s CE Brief imperial period – 800-1000’s CE

Chichen Itza gained control over other Chichen Itza gained control over other cities cities

By 800 CE population decline, began to By 800 CE population decline, began to abandon citiesabandon cities

Mayan SocietiesMayan Societies

dominate priestly classdominate priestly class Hereditary aristocracy – landowners, Hereditary aristocracy – landowners,

organized the militaryorganized the military High status for merchantsHigh status for merchants Educated professionalsEducated professionals Skilled workersSkilled workers Large class of peasantsLarge class of peasants Slaves Slaves

Mayan AccomplishmentsMayan Accomplishments

Sophisticated calendar (combined solar Sophisticated calendar (combined solar year with “traditional” 260 day year), 52 year with “traditional” 260 day year), 52 year cycle year cycle

System of writing – prolific writers – System of writing – prolific writers – both practical and literature both practical and literature

Concept of zero, probability, Concept of zero, probability, Solar year (only 17 seconds off) Solar year (only 17 seconds off)

Ritual Bloodletting Ritual Bloodletting

Would prompt gods to bring rain and Would prompt gods to bring rain and productivity productivity

Sacrifice of captives with large amounts Sacrifice of captives with large amounts of blood flowof blood flow

Self- “donations” of blood for a variety of Self- “donations” of blood for a variety of rituals rituals

The Fathers of Soccer? The Fathers of Soccer?

Early ball game for both recreation and Early ball game for both recreation and religionreligion

Had to propel ball through small goal Had to propel ball through small goal using only feet using only feet

Almost all villages and towns had a Almost all villages and towns had a “pitch” “pitch”