The Olmec, Mayans & Aztec Civilizations PDF

The Olmec, Mayans & Aztec Civilization During the Meso- America Period The term Mesoamerica is derived from the Greek and means "Middle America." It refers to a geographical and cultural area which extends from central Mexico down through Central America, including the territory...

The Olmec, Mayans & Aztec Civilization During the Meso- America Period The term Mesoamerica is derived from the Greek and means "Middle America." It refers to a geographical and cultural area which extends from central Mexico down through Central America, including the territory which is now made up of the countries of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. It is therefore seen as partly in North America, and encompassing a large part of Central America.  The Olmec Civilization The Olmec civilization flourished in Mesoamerica from around 1500 to 400 BC. They are considered the "mother culture" of ancient Mesoamerica, laying the foundations for later civilizations like the Maya and Aztec. The Olmec were renowned for their impressive stone heads, intricate stone carvings, and advanced astronomical knowledge. their name comes from what the AZTECS refer to them by the “THE RUBBER PEOPLE” or in the language of the AZTECS the “OLMECS”. OLMECS did in fact grow RUBBER TREES and harvest rubber one of their uses of the harvest was to make rubber balls for a ritualistic ballgame.  Olmecs develop the first written language and numbering system in Meso-America the Olmecs built cities and acquired great wealth they have left amazing artifacts like “JADE MASK” and the “Giant Head” which is just one of the many enormous head left by the olmecs in the region. The vigesimal (or base-20) counting system has been used across Mesoamerica. A value of 5 is represented by a bar, and a value of 1 is represented by a dot, such that the three bars and single dot  The first Olmec writing started out with Many civilizations and cultures have prized The most agreed-upon theory is glyphs representing calendrical events, Jade and other greenstone, and were that a they represent Olmec and then later logo graphs line drawing for considered precious to the Olmec. It is rulers because of their unique single ideas believed that the green and blue colors were physical features and the difficulty associated with life-giving water and and cost involved in their creation vegetation, particularly maize, a staple of the s. Seventeen heads have been Mesoamerican diet. discovered to date. Being the first civilization of its kind in Meso-America the Olmec greatly influenced other cultures development in the regions its looked to as a MOTHER CULTURE of the region. The Rise of the Mayan Empire Late Classic Period Early Beginnings During 600-900 CE, the Maya produced some of their most impressive The Maya civilization emerged around 250 CE in present-day Mexico, architectural and artistic achievements, such as the pyramids at Chichen Itza. Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. 1 2 3 Classical Period From 250 to 900 CE, the Maya reached the peak of their power, building large cities and developing sophisticated mathematics and astronomy.  Mayan Achievements in Architecture and Mathematics Architecture Mathematics The Maya were master builders, constructing grand pyramids, temples, The Maya developed a highly sophisticated numerical system, including palaces and ball courts using advanced architectural techniques. the concept of zero, and made significant advances in astronomy and calendar-making.  Corn was so important to the ancient Mayans that it even had spiritual and religious significance. According to Maya mythology, human beings were created from Corn: 1. White corn was used for the bones, 2. Yellow corn for the muscles, 3. Black corn for the eyes and hair, 4. Red corn for the blood.  The ancient Mayan people practiced both burial and cremation. To The ancient Mayans used cacao beans the principal ingredient in prep the body for burial, they put a piece of corn in the deceased's chocolate as a currency, according to a study published in the mouth. They believed corn symbolized the rebirth of the soul and journal Economic Anthropology. The research suggests that provided food for the afterlife journey. Then, they wrapped the body during the Classic Maya period (250-900 CE) cacao was in cotton cloth. exchanged for goods and services. The Decline of the Mayan Civilization Overpopulation Rapid population growth led to environmental degradation and resource depletion, contributing to the decline of Mayan city- states. Warfare Increased warfare and conflict between rival Mayan kingdoms further weakened the civilization in the Late Classic period. Climate Change Droughts and climate fluctuations may have disrupted Mayan agricultural systems, leading to the collapse of many urban centers. The Aztec Empire: Origins and Expansion Nomadic Beginnings Rise to Power The Aztecs originated as a nomadic tribe who eventually settled in Through military conquest and alliances, the Aztecs built a vast the Valley of Mexico in the 13th century. empire spanning central Mexico by the 15th century. Capital City Tribute System The Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan became one of the largest and The Aztec empire extracted tribute from conquered peoples, most impressive cities in the Americas, with a population of over amassing great wealth and resources to support their civilization. 200,000 people. Aztec Religion and Rituals Sun Worship The Aztecs revered the Sun God, Huitzilopochtli, as the most important deity, performing elaborate rituals and sacrifices to ensure the sun's daily journey across the sky. Ritual Attire Aztec priests and nobility wore elaborate feathered headdresses, cloaks, and masks during religious ceremonies and rituals. Human Sacrifice The Aztecs practiced ritual human sacrifices, believing that the blood and hearts of victims were necessary to feed the gods and maintain cosmic balance. The Aztec Calendar and Astronomical Observations Calendar The Aztecs had a complex calendar system with 18 months of 20 days each, as well as a 260-day ritual calendar and a 365-day solar calendar. Astronomy The Aztecs were skilled astronomers, closely observing the movements of the sun, moon, stars, and planets to predict celestial events and maintain their calendars. Calendric Cycles The Aztec calendar was deeply intertwined with their religious beliefs, with specific days and cycles associated with different deities and rituals. Aztec Contributions to Agriculture and Engineering 1 Chinampas 2 Aqueducts The Aztecs developed a The Aztecs engineered advanced system of artificial sophisticated aqueduct floating gardens, known as systems to bring fresh water chinampas, to cultivate into their capital city from crops in the marshy lands distant sources. around Tenochtitlan. 3 Roads and Canals A vast network of paved roads and canals connected Tenochtitlan to the rest of the Aztec Empire, facilitating trade and communication. The Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire The Arrival of Hernán Cortés Disease and Conflict The Fall of Tenochtitlan In 1519, the Spanish conquistador The Spaniards brought devastating After a brutal siege, the Aztec capital Hernán Cortés arrived in Mexico, diseases like smallpox that of Tenochtitlan fell to the Spanish in eventually leading an expedition that decimated the Aztec population. 1521, marking the end of the Aztec would topple the mighty Aztec They also formed alliances with rival Empire and the beginning of Spanish Empire. indigenous groups to defeat the colonial rule in Mexico. Aztecs in battle. The Legacy of the Olmec, Mayan, and Aztec Civilizations 1 Cultural Influence 2 Archaeological Treasures These ancient Mesoamerican The ruins and artifacts of the civilizations have left an enduring Olmec, Maya, and Aztec continue legacy, influencing the art, to be studied by archaeologists, architecture, mathematics, and providing valuable insights into religious beliefs of later societies the advanced nature of these lost in the region. civilizations. 3 Ongoing Indigenous Traditions Many indigenous communities in Mexico and Central America today still maintain cultural practices and traditions that can be traced back to these ancient Mesoamerican peoples.