Transcript Olmec 1500 BCE – 200 CE dweller in the land of rubber

Meso-American Civilizations

Central American
Civilizations

Olmec 1500BCE-200CE
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Maya 200-1200CE

Aztecs 1350-1530
MesoAmerican Civilization Origins
Olmec 1500 BCE – 200 CE
Geography
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Yukatan
Penninsula
located on the
hot, humid coasts
of the Gulf of
Mexico
surrounded by
rain forests,
grasslands, and
swamps
Olmec Politics
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Called “Cult of the
Jaguar”
City state government
that united for religious
celebrations under the
authority of a
Priest/shaman
Dirt and clay pyramids
used for political power
and religious ceremonies
Colossal Heads
Colossal Head #10 Basalt
San Lorenzo
http://isis.csuhayward.edu/dbsw/anthropology/miller/3250/03olmec/aolmec2.html#PHOTO%20GALLERY:
Economic Life
most were farmers

Social Class
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based on power and wealth
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priests and government
(theocracy) were the most
powerful
merchants and craftspeople were
next
farmers were the lowest
Most city states had their
own language and customs
Olmec Religion: Polytheist nature worship
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shaman ruled, claimed to
shape-change, control nature
(rain, sun, crops), fly, killing
enemies from a distance, and
bear off-spring even though they
are men.
Jaguars seen as magical
animals and shamen claimed to
shape shift into them
foundation of later Maya
civilization.
Shaman as jaguar carrying his spirit
Riding Crocodiles in the Spirit world
Social Life Typical of
Agricultural Society
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Men:
plowed and planted
fields
tended to the crops
hunted and fished
Women/Older girls
housekeeping chores
making clothes
supplying the home
with firewood and
water
caring for younger
children
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Children
learned about farming
and housekeeping
chores
Intellectual Life
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Maize Domesticated
3000BCE
Major staplecrop in
Mesoamerica
Also domesticated
cotton, cacao,
feathers, pelts,
woods, rubber
Intellectual life
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developed a
number system,
calendar, and a
form of writing
Olmec Art: Jade Sculpture
(plus giant heads and pyramids)
Jade Axe
Were-Jaguar
Olmec Figure
http://isis.csuhayward.edu/dbsw/anthropology/miller/3250/03olmec/aolmec2.html#PHOTO%20GALLERY:
Olmec Influence on the Mayans
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Maize
Ceremonial centers with
temple pyramids
Calendar based on the
Olmec one
Ball games
Rituals involving human
sacrifice
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Olmec, La Venta, cone pyramid