early mesoamerican civilizations. olmec civilization began in mesoamerica around 1200 bc (to 400 bc)...
TRANSCRIPT
EARLY MESOAMERICAN CIVILIZATIONS
Olmec
• Civilization began in Mesoamerica around 1200 BC (to 400 BC)
• Mesoamerica• Central Mexico to northern
Honduras• Mother Culture of
Mesoamerica• People who create earliest
civilization in southern Mexico
Olmec
• Geography/Environment-• Located along Gulf Coast
of Mexico, • covered with swamps
and rain forest and fertile river flood plains
• hot and humid climate• abundant resources of
salt, tar, clay, wood, rubber, and stone
Urban Design-Olmec
• Combined pyramids, plazas, and giant sculptures
• Massive sculptures of heads (first found in 1860)
• Built thriving urban communities at sites such as San Lorenzo and La Venta
Olmec Economy
• Directed a large and prosperous trading network throughout Mesoamerica
• Trade spreads Olmec influence to the north and south; In return for the products they made, they received iron ore and different kinds of stone.
Olmec’s Achievements and Legacy
• Jaguar motif and other art styles
• Pattern of urban design
• Concepts of ceremonial centers
• Ritual ball games• Worshiped nature gods
• Head sculptures
Olmec Decline
• Reasons for Olmec collapse by 400 BC is unknown
Zapotec
• Geography• Located in Mountainous region in southern Mexico; fertile soil and mild climate in valleys; (Oaxaca Valley)
• 1000 BC-600 AD
Zapotec Urban design
• Planned cities with stone pyramids, temples, and palaces built around a giant plaza (influenced by Olmecs)
Zapotec Language
• Hieroglyphic writing system
Zapotec Achievements/legacy
• Concept of urban planning; calendar system based on movements of the sun
• Monte Alban• Impressive urban center built atop a mountain• It had an observatory that could be used to look at the
stars.
Zapotecs at Monte Alban
• 500 BC - First city in America
• 25,000 people• Combined religion and
daily life. Pyramids, temples, and palaces surrounded a giant plaza paved with stones
Monte Alban
Zapotec’s decline
• Declined shortly after 600 AD for unknown reasons