Ap World History Essay
AP World History Notes Ch 6 Early Americas & Oceania
August 4, 2004
The cultures of the Americas and Oceania developed in relative isolation to the other early complex societies. Nevertheless, they too developed an agricultural base sufficient to support growing populations, specialized labor, political institutions, diverse societies, and long-distance trading networks. Less is known of these cultures than those in other parts of the world primarily because either writing systems did not develop or written documents perished or were destroyed. The fragments of writing and archeological findings indicate that these societies were complex and developed rich cultural traditions. The early societies in the Americas • Built elaborate ceremonial …show more content…
The Olmecs 1) Migration to Mesoamerica a. Large wave of humans traveled from Siberia to Alaska around 13,000 B.C.E. b. By 9500 B.C.E., humans reached the southernmost part of South America c. As hunting became difficult, agriculture began (7500 B.C.E.) 2) Early agriculture: beans, squashes, chilis; later, maize became the staple (5000 B.C.E.) a. Agricultural villages appeared after 3000 B.C.E. b. No large domesticated animals, no wheeled vehicles 3) Ceremonial centers by the end of the 2nd millennium B.C.E. 4) Olmecs, the “rubber people,” lived near the Gulf of Mexico (1200 B.C.E. ) a. Elaborate complexes built b. The colossal human heads--possibly likenesses of rulers c. Rulers’ power shown in construction of huge pyramids d. Trade in jade and obsidian e. Decline of Olmecs: systematically destroyed ceremonial centers by 400 B.C.E. 5) Influence of Olmec: maize, ceremonial centers, calendar, human sacrifice, ball game How did humans come to settle in all parts of the Americas and in Oceania? What traditions begun by the Olmecs were later adopted by other Mesoamerican societies? What role did human sacrifice play in early American …show more content…
Heirs of the Olmecs: the Maya 1) The Maya lived in the highlands of Guatemala a. Besides maize, they also cultivated cotton and cacao b. Tikal was the most important Maya political center, 300900 C.E. c. Maya warfare: warriors had prestige; captives were slaves or victims d. Chichén Itzá, power by the 9th century; loose empire in Yucatan e. Maya decline began in 800 C.E.; many Mayans deserted their cities C. Maya Society and Religion 1) Maya society was hierarchical a. Kings, priests, and hereditary nobility at the top b. Merchants were from the ruling class; they served also as ambassadors c. Professional architects and artisans were important d. Peasants and slaves were majority of population 2) The Maya calendar had both solar and ritual years interwoven 3) Maya writing was ideographic and syllabic; only four books survive 4) Religious thought a. Popol Vuh, a Maya creation myth, taught that gods created humans out of maize and water b. Gods maintained agricultural cycles in exchange for honors and sacrifices c. Bloodletting rituals honored gods for rains 5) The Maya ball game: sporting, gambling, and religious
August 4, 2004
The cultures of the Americas and Oceania developed in relative isolation to the other early complex societies. Nevertheless, they too developed an agricultural base sufficient to support growing populations, specialized labor, political institutions, diverse societies, and long-distance trading networks. Less is known of these cultures than those in other parts of the world primarily because either writing systems did not develop or written documents perished or were destroyed. The fragments of writing and archeological findings indicate that these societies were complex and developed rich cultural traditions. The early societies in the Americas • Built elaborate ceremonial …show more content…
The Olmecs 1) Migration to Mesoamerica a. Large wave of humans traveled from Siberia to Alaska around 13,000 B.C.E. b. By 9500 B.C.E., humans reached the southernmost part of South America c. As hunting became difficult, agriculture began (7500 B.C.E.) 2) Early agriculture: beans, squashes, chilis; later, maize became the staple (5000 B.C.E.) a. Agricultural villages appeared after 3000 B.C.E. b. No large domesticated animals, no wheeled vehicles 3) Ceremonial centers by the end of the 2nd millennium B.C.E. 4) Olmecs, the “rubber people,” lived near the Gulf of Mexico (1200 B.C.E. ) a. Elaborate complexes built b. The colossal human heads--possibly likenesses of rulers c. Rulers’ power shown in construction of huge pyramids d. Trade in jade and obsidian e. Decline of Olmecs: systematically destroyed ceremonial centers by 400 B.C.E. 5) Influence of Olmec: maize, ceremonial centers, calendar, human sacrifice, ball game How did humans come to settle in all parts of the Americas and in Oceania? What traditions begun by the Olmecs were later adopted by other Mesoamerican societies? What role did human sacrifice play in early American …show more content…
Heirs of the Olmecs: the Maya 1) The Maya lived in the highlands of Guatemala a. Besides maize, they also cultivated cotton and cacao b. Tikal was the most important Maya political center, 300900 C.E. c. Maya warfare: warriors had prestige; captives were slaves or victims d. Chichén Itzá, power by the 9th century; loose empire in Yucatan e. Maya decline began in 800 C.E.; many Mayans deserted their cities C. Maya Society and Religion 1) Maya society was hierarchical a. Kings, priests, and hereditary nobility at the top b. Merchants were from the ruling class; they served also as ambassadors c. Professional architects and artisans were important d. Peasants and slaves were majority of population 2) The Maya calendar had both solar and ritual years interwoven 3) Maya writing was ideographic and syllabic; only four books survive 4) Religious thought a. Popol Vuh, a Maya creation myth, taught that gods created humans out of maize and water b. Gods maintained agricultural cycles in exchange for honors and sacrifices c. Bloodletting rituals honored gods for rains 5) The Maya ball game: sporting, gambling, and religious