4-MESOAMERICAN PERIOD (1200 B.C. - 3RD CENTURY A.D.)

OLMECS

o Mother culture of Mesoamerica

OLMECS

LOCATED: in the hot and swampy lowlands along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico south of Veracruz.

OLMECS

o Composed of priests and nobles as the top of the society who lived in ceremonial centers.

OLMECS

o Carved colossal heads from volcanic rocks as portraits of their rulers

OLMECS

o Invented calendar and carved hieroglyphic writing into stone

MAYANS

LOCATED: Mexican and Central American rain forest

MAYANS

o Polytheistic religion - pyramids

MAYANS

o Organized into city-state without political unity but economically bounded

MAYANS

o Developed methods of farming such as shifting agriculture and raised bed farming

MAYANS

o Developed numbering system including place value and the concept of zero

MAYANS

o Hieroglyphics as form of writing that were used for recording astronomical observations, rituals, and religious matter but was burnt during the invasion of Spanish conquerors

MAYANS

o Developed the solar calendar with 365 days and ritual calendars with 260 days

AZTECS

LOCATED: arid valley in central Mexico

AZTECS

o Built with empire which has a ruler with his council consisting of nobles, priests, and military leaders

AZTECS

o Made up of commoners, indentured workers, and slaves.

AZTECS

o Most people were farmers, but they also traded with people in the surrounding areas.

AZTECS

o Built chinampas or “floating gardens” to plant crops

AZTECS

o Developed a calendar with 365 days and a ritual calendar with 260 days

AZTECS

o Believed that illness is a punishment from the Gods but still used herbs and medicine for treatment

AZTECS

o Present-Day Mexico-City is built on top of this city