Transcript MESOAMERICA
Early Societies in the Americas and Oceania
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Compare and contrast the development of early Mesoamerican societies.
Identify key features of early American society and religious beliefs.
Outline the development and regional importance of Teotihuacan.
Discuss the emergence and development of early Andean societies.
Compare and contrast the development of early Oceanic societies.
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Migration across Bering land bridge?
Probably 13,000 BCE, perhaps earlier (Beringia)
By sea from Asia?
By 9500 BCE reached southernmost part of South
America
Hunter/gatherer societies developed
Evolved into agricultural societies
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1200-100 BCE The “Rubber People” Ceremonial centers
San Lorenzo, La Venta, Tres Zapotes
Olmec Heads
Up to 10 ft tall, 20 tons
Transported by dragging, rolling on logs
1000/workers per head
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Staple: maize Herding: turkeys, “barkless” dogs
Both food (yum-yum…)
No draft animals
No development of wheeled vehicles
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Probably authoritarian in nature Large class of
conscripted laborers
(slave labor) to construct ceremonial sites
Also tombs for rulers, temples, pyramids, drainage systems
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Ceremonial centers destroyed
No evidence of warfare
Revolution?
Civil war?
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Huge cities discovered in 19th century 300 BCE-900 CE
Terrace farming
Maize
Cotton
Cacao beans
Development of hot chocolate
Used as currency
Major ceremonial center at Tikal Copyright © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. Permission Required for Reproduction or Display.
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Warfare for purposes of capturing enemy soldiers Ritual sacrifice of enemies
Enslavement
Small kingdoms engage in constant conflict until Chichén Itzá begins to absorb captives
▪ Some nevertheless choose death ▪ Center of empire develops Copyright © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. Permission Required for Reproduction or Display.
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Complex math
Invention of “Zero”
Calendar of 365.242 days (17 seconds off)
Solar calendar of 365 days
Ritual calendar of 260 days
Management of calendar lends authority to priesthood
Timing of auspicious moments for agriculture
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Ideographs and a syllable-alphabet
Most writings destroyed by Spanish conquerors
Deciphering work begins in 1960s
Popol Vuh: Mayan creation myth Importance of bloodletting rituals
Human sacrifices follow after removal of fingers, piercing to allow blood flow
Self-mutilation of penises, earlobes
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Ritual form of ball game
High-ranking captives, prisoners of war
contestants Execution of losers immediately follows the match Bloodletting ritual for the gods
http://www.ballgame.org/ http://vimeo.com/1099315
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Highlands of Mexico Lakes in area of high elevation Village of Teotihuacan, 500 BCE, expands to become massive agricultural city
Important
ceremonial center
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Extensive trade network, influenced surrounding areas Begins to decline c. 650 CE, sacked by middle of 8 th century
City burned
Massive library destroyed
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Migration into South America, c. 12000 BCE Climate improves, c. 8000 BCE
Largely independent
from Mesoamerica Highly individualized due to geography 17 Copyright © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. Permission Required for Reproduction or Display.
New religion in central Andes, 900 300 BCE
Little known about particulars of religion
Intricate stone carvings
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Cult may have arisen when maize became an important crop During this era Andean society became
increasingly complex
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Valley of the Moche River Dominated northern Peru, 300-700 CE Painting survives One of many states in region, none able to consolidate into empire 20 Copyright © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. Permission Required for Reproduction or Display.
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Prehistoric land bridges, lower seas permit migration
Outrigger canoes for open-sea travel
Early hunter-gatherer societies in
Australia
Early agriculture in New Guinea Copyright © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. Permission Required for Reproduction or Display.
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Found throughout Pacific Islands Agriculture, animal herding Copyright © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. Permission Required for Reproduction or Display.
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Political organization based on
chiefdoms
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Trade over open ocean declines by 500 BCE
Greater independence of settlements
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