Chapter 2 Lesson 1 Early People

Lesson Vocabulary

1. ancestor: an early family member

2. theory: an idea based on study and research

3. migration: movement of people

4. artifacts: objects made by people

5. civilization: a group of people with ways of life, religion and learning

6. tradition: a way of life or an idea that has been handed down from the past

7. class: a group of people in a society who have something in common

Olmec

The Olmec Civilization was one of the earliest in the Americas. It was known as the “Mother Culture” 1500 B.C. – A.D. 300. They ruled what is now southern Mexico. Used rivers to travel and trade. They also created a system of writing and counting. This helped develop a 365 day calendar.

Mayan

A.D. 300 –A.D. 900 The Mayan people had their own writing system. It was based on hieroglyphs (picture symbols). They developed a counting system that included zero, and built stone cities.

Mound Builders

1000 B.C. to A.D. 200 Built earth mounds which were used as burial mounds. Some burial mounds were as high as 90ft. Located in the Midwest (Illinois and Ohio Valley) and the Mississippi River Valley (A.D. 700).

Ancient Puebloans

This civilization was located in the Four Corners of the Southwest. They built homes against canyon walls and in caves.