olmec and chavin
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Olmec and Chavin. Mesoamerica. Earthquakes Volcanoes Mountain ranges Valley of Mexico Tropical highlands Rain forests Gulf of Mexico. Ecology and Economy. Specialized technologies developed Exploited plants, minerals (obsidian, quartz, jade) Trade across ecological boundaries - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Olmec and Chavin
MesoamericaEarthquakesVolcanoesMountain rangesValley of MexicoTropical highlandsRain forestsGulf of Mexico
Ecology and EconomySpecialized technologies developed
Exploited plants, minerals (obsidian, quartz, jade)
Trade across ecological boundariesEnhanced trade increased agri
production--< urbanization emergence f powerful religious and political elites
Never a political unified region, though shared technologies, religious beliefs, political organizations, art, architecture, and sports
Olmec1200-400 BCEOn bay of CampecheVeracruz and Tabasco
Olmec Economy and DevelopmentUrbanization due to agri production
FishingCorn, beans squash (domesticated)Manioc
Produced food surpluses specialization and social stratification emergence of religious and political elitesWho organized the digging of irrigation
and drainage canals; raised fields; large scale building
EconomiesTrade among (perhaps) San Lorenzo, Tres
Zapotes, and La VentaExchange of specialized products
Salt, cacao, clay, limestone
Achievements and society Large artificial platforms (mounds)
Elite residences? Center for rituals and politics ?
Cities laid out in alignment w/stars (importance of astronomy)Labor sources? Skilled labor?
Kingship (both religious and secular)Colossal Heads
Rulers? Important figures (celebrities?)Near major urban centers
Achievements and society Organized labor
Increased food productionReliableDiverse
Religious ritualsGods and bloodHuman sacrificePolytheistic
Dual natured deities (male/female; human/animal) Jaguars, crocodiles, snakes, sharks, condors
Shamans and healers Form of writing, calendar, ball games
Not an empire
Chavin900-250 BCEAndes MountainsDiverse environment
MountainsCoastal plainsJungles
specialization due to regionSeen through trade b/w foothills and mountain
areas
The largest pyramid of Caral is Pirámide Mayor; which is 450 ft. By 500 ft. and 60 ft. tall. A 30-foot-wide staircase rises from a sunken circular plaza at the foot of the pyramid, passing over three terraced levels until it reaches the top of the platform. The platform top contains the remains of an atrium and a large fireplace. It should be pointed out; the pyramid is not really a pyramid at all, but more akin to the platform mounds used for the same purposes by the ancient Mississippians of central United States.
Economic SignificanceChavin de Huantar
Intersection of trade routes connecting multiple areas
Allowed rulers to control trade and gain economic advantages
Ceremonial and commercial centerMaize food surplus urbanization Reciprocal labor obligations (think family)
Roads, bridges, temples, palaces, irrigation, textiles
Llamas
Society and religionPlatform building (cut stone and adobe)Relief carvingsPolytheistic
Serpents, condors, jaguars Belief in afterlife (burial sites)
Metallurgy develops hereGold, silver, gold alloy
Pottery, sculpture, textilesClass distinctions
Priests chiefs/kings peasants populations