Warm-up #1

• Write a paragraph about what you learned from the CH 14.1 reading. LA 7

Essential Question

What influence did geography have on

life in Mesoamerica?

The Maya

I. Geography of Mesoamerica• Rain forests cover much of this

region.

• Over time the region’s volcanoes made the surrounding soil fertile.

• Fertile mountains, valleys, rivers, and warm climate make it a good place for farming.

II. Farming and Settlement• Farming allowed people to settle

permanently in one place.

• By 3500 BC maize was grown. Later crops included squash and beans.

• Growing surplus food allowed a larger population, growth of cities, building, trade, art, and religion.

III. The Olmec• First complex civilization in Mesoamerica from

1200 BC to 400 BC.– Scientific study– Sculptures of rulers and gods.– 1st writing system in the Americas– calendar

• Lived in villages/towns which served as religious and government centers.

• Their accomplishments influenced later Mesoamerican cultures.

IV. Chavin

• Chavin 900 – 200 BC– Located in South America in the Andes

Mountain range.– Population grew as they domesticated plants

and learned to farm.– they grew potatoes, maize, and beans.

V. Geography of the Mayans• The Maya lived in the Yucatan Peninsula

(Mexico) and into Central America (including Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras)

– Highlands – lived in cooler mountains, it was harder to farm so they mined valuable jade and obsidian (sharp glass like volcanic rock).

– Lowlands - mostly covered by thick forests which provided some advantages to the Maya and some challenges.

• Good land for farming.

• Plenty of water.

• Used wood, vines, and mud to build homes.

• Not much usable land.

• Sometimes floods!

• Little open space.

• Dangerous animals.

• Difficult transportation.

Think about it!Agricultural Challenges!

How could you clear land to farm in dense forest?

How do you farm on a hill?

B. Adaptations• Adapt means to change your

environment to better suit your needs.

• The Mayans adapted by using “milpa” Slash and Burn agriculture. They would cut down and burn trees to clear room and replenish soil nutrients

• Used crop rotation

• Terracing – making flat “steps” in hillsides to better raise plants.

C. Crops • Maize (corn) was the staple crop. – It had religious, social, and economic

value. –Used in products like fuel and baskets

etc…–The creation story said people were made

from maize• Other plants were grown for: clothing dyes,

chewing gum (Sapodilla tree), medicines etc..• Cocao beans used as money (chocolate was

popular food for upper class and gods)

Pros to living in a rainforest

Countries the Mayans were located in

Thing you found interesting

Homework• Chapter walk #1-18 – use complete

sentences

• Finish notes

• Questions

• summary