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Peopling the Americas and Peopling the Americas and OceaniaOceania
Land bridgesLand bridges Overseas migration as well Overseas migration as well Left Asia before Neolithic RevolutionLeft Asia before Neolithic Revolution
Mesoamerica Mesoamerica
c. 13,000 BCE large scale migration c. 13,000 BCE large scale migration from Siberia to Alaska from Siberia to Alaska
By 7000 BCE hunted most large game By 7000 BCE hunted most large game into extinction into extinction
Agricultural & fishing became more Agricultural & fishing became more prominent prominent
Early Agricultural Early Agricultural
Experiment w/ag c. 8000-7000 BCEExperiment w/ag c. 8000-7000 BCE corn./maize c. 4000 BCEcorn./maize c. 4000 BCE Villages dev. C. 3000 BCE Villages dev. C. 3000 BCE More interest in cultivation than More interest in cultivation than
domestication domestication No beasts of burden, no wheel No beasts of burden, no wheel
Ceremonial/Religious CentersCeremonial/Religious Centers
Large ceremonial centers that served a Large ceremonial centers that served a number of villages in an area number of villages in an area
few inhabitants lived full time in few inhabitants lived full time in ceremonial centers ceremonial centers
Large gatherings for religious days or Large gatherings for religious days or market days market days
Olmecs Olmecs
True name unknown True name unknown C. 1200 BCE – San Lorenzo – major C. 1200 BCE – San Lorenzo – major
ceremonial center ceremonial center Abundant rainfall – cooperative projects Abundant rainfall – cooperative projects
were for drainage were for drainage
Olmec Society Olmec Society
Likely autocratic Likely autocratic Commoners – paid taxes in the form of Commoners – paid taxes in the form of
crops and labor crops and labor Co-operative projects – architecture & Co-operative projects – architecture &
decoration as well as agriculture decoration as well as agriculture Giant Stone Heads – large stone Giant Stone Heads – large stone
sculpturessculptures Huge pyramids (La Venta) Huge pyramids (La Venta)
Decline of the OlmecsDecline of the Olmecs
By 400 BCE – Olmecs in decline By 400 BCE – Olmecs in decline Demise still uncertain Demise still uncertain Intentional destruction of ceremonial Intentional destruction of ceremonial
centers centers Revolution ?, civil war ???, Revolution ?, civil war ???,
invasion????invasion???? Foundation for later Mesoamerican Foundation for later Mesoamerican
culturescultures
The Maya (300 BCE-900 CE)The Maya (300 BCE-900 CE)
Large population growth Large population growth Huge cities (Tikal – largest)Huge cities (Tikal – largest) Long distance tradeLong distance trade Dev. of written languageDev. of written language Priestly class dominatedPriestly class dominated Terrace farming – Terrace farming –
- Maize, cotton, cacao beansMaize, cotton, cacao beans
Mayan WarfareMayan Warfare
Chronic – mostly with other MayansChronic – mostly with other Mayans More important to capture than killMore important to capture than kill Brief imperial period – 800-1000’s CE Brief imperial period – 800-1000’s CE
Chichen Itza gained control over other Chichen Itza gained control over other cities cities
By 800 CE population decline, began to By 800 CE population decline, began to abandon citiesabandon cities
Mayan SocietiesMayan Societies
dominate priestly classdominate priestly class Hereditary aristocracy – landowners, Hereditary aristocracy – landowners,
organized the militaryorganized the military High status for merchantsHigh status for merchants Educated professionalsEducated professionals Skilled workersSkilled workers Large class of peasantsLarge class of peasants Slaves Slaves
Mayan AccomplishmentsMayan Accomplishments
Sophisticated calendar (combined solar Sophisticated calendar (combined solar year with “traditional” 260 day year), 52 year with “traditional” 260 day year), 52 year cycle year cycle
System of writing – prolific writers – System of writing – prolific writers – both practical and literature both practical and literature
Concept of zero, probability, Concept of zero, probability, Solar year (only 17 seconds off) Solar year (only 17 seconds off)
Ritual Bloodletting Ritual Bloodletting
Would prompt gods to bring rain and Would prompt gods to bring rain and productivity productivity
Sacrifice of captives with large amounts Sacrifice of captives with large amounts of blood flowof blood flow
Self- “donations” of blood for a variety of Self- “donations” of blood for a variety of rituals rituals
The Fathers of Soccer? The Fathers of Soccer?
Early ball game for both recreation and Early ball game for both recreation and religionreligion
Had to propel ball through small goal Had to propel ball through small goal using only feet using only feet
Almost all villages and towns had a Almost all villages and towns had a “pitch” “pitch”