ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONSCentral and South America

Olmec earliest known people in Mexico Swampy plain beside Gulf of Mexico Large group of farmers Corn – main crop No animals for meat Built temples, pyramids, huge statues Traded jade and obsidian Ancient ballgame – losers sacrificed to

gods Wore helmets and used hard rubber ball

Highly advanced – carved stone heads 40 tons and carried from 50 miles away

Maya Guatemala, Honduras, and Yucatan Peninsula Some deep in rainforest Terraced hillsides to farm and raised fields in swampy areas Canals ran through fields Corn – most important crop Pyramid in center of city – worshipped gods there Villages densely populated Study the stars – pyramids and buildings 365 day calendar Complete writing system – hieroglyphics Counting system – 0, 1, 5 (symbol/pattern wrote any number) Mayans vs. Mayans – prisoners sacrificed/wanted riches and

power Offered human blood to gods to make them happy

Show dedication – pull thorns through hole in tongue Pok-ta-tok - ancient ballgame – used leather padded hips/elbows

to hit 5 lb. ball through mounted hoop (30ft) Civilization fell apart – war, famine, disease? Did not die out - ancestors still around

Inca Andes Mountains along SA coast

Machu Picchu – most preserved city Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Bolivia People of the Sun – sun god like a parent Buildings made to survive earthquakes Terraced farming Canals and aqueducts – carry water to dry areas Spoke different languages – mountains separated Started schools to bring people together and to

teach one language No writing – used quipu (KEE POOS)– knots on string Wore ponchos/brightly colored clothing Made 14,000 miles of roads Runners – messengers – relay style, 250miles a day,

and unified/control empire

Aztec Group of warriors invaded Central Mexico Legend – eagle with snake on cactus – searched for 200 years Tenochtitlan – capital (modern day Mexico City) – covered 2,500

acres 200,000 population – biggest city in ancient Americas Island in lake – swampy area Citadel – palace in center Chinampas – raised fields – most farmers

Corn, beans, and peppers / flowers Calendars and math Hieroglyphics – picture writing Upper class – drink chocolate, eat meat – especially warriors Poor – special occasion – eat dog meat Military is big – power, glory, and wealth Doctors -1,000 medicines from plants – lower fever, stomachaches,

wounds Women (weave) inferior to men (school) Harsh and strict laws and punishment Conquered others

Taxes, slaves, sacrifices, learn skills, food, cotton, gold People feared and hated

Aztec Cont.

Jaguar Knights – soldier of night sky Eagle Knights – soldier of sun Many gods Harsh laws and punishment Human sacrificed – gods wanted hearts

Used largest pyramid Doctors – 1,000 medicines from plants

Lower fever, cure stomachaches, heal wounds

Spanish Conquest Cortes – Spanish soldier 1519 1521 conquered Aztecs and others Called New Spain Pizarro – conquered Inca for Spain 1530s Conquistadores - conquerors Natives became slaves – mined gold/silver and farmed Roman Catholic priest converted - some forced

Dogs of War Muskets and horses Natives thought they were gods Disease – natives had no resistance and caused

epidemic (widespread disease) Smallpox

Whole cultures disappeared Less than 100 years – controlled almost all of CA/SA