Module 7: Pre Hispanic Empires of the Americas

Mesoamerica

The diverse civilizations that shared similar cultural characteristics in the areas of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica

Pre Columbian

The period in the Americas before the arrival of Christopher Columbus

Pre Hispanic

The period in the Americas before the Spanish conquest began in the 16 century

Talud

Tablero

Olmec

La Vental

Zapotec

Monte Alban

reaches population of 5000 people by 500 BCE

Teotihuacanos

Teotihuacan

Pyramid of the Sun

Pyramid of the Moon

Maya

Flourishing after the decline of Teotihuacan

Tikal

What distinguishes the Olmec pyramids at La Venta from Egyptian pyramids?

The talud and tablero

What middle eastern civilization were the olmecs closest in time to?

Ancient Egypt

What is the oldest pyramid in Mesoamerica?

La Venta

Describe the geographical features of the Monte Alban site

Longitudinal, rectilinear plan

Identify the geographic and celestial orientation of the pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacan

Oriented with the summer and winter solstice sunrises and sunsets

Identify the geographic and celestial orientation of the pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan

Associated with lunar movements, its northeast and southwest vertices are aligned with the lunar standstills

What is the symbolic significance of caves in ancient Mesoamerican culture?

They symbolize the origins of life