Mesoamerican Civilization

A collection of vocabulary flashcards related to Mesoamerican civilizations, covering characteristics, cultures, and significant events.

Mesoamerica

A historical region and cultural area in Mexico and Central America, known for its ancient civilizations, agriculture and highly developed societies. (3,000 yrs ago)

Shift from Sedentary life 8,000 yrs ago

A lifestyle characterized by permanent human settlements and agriculture rather than nomadic hunting and gathering in Mesoamerica (Andes, St. America)

Pyramid Plazas

Large-scale constructions such as pyramids (monumental arch) that serve as significant cultural or religious sites in meso America

Olmec civilization

An early Mesoamerican civilization known for its colossal heads and influencing later cultures. GULF OF MEXICO

What was Mesoamerica Religion

MAIZE, A belief system involving the worship of multiple gods and goddesses. (Polyes)

Agriculture in Mesoamerica?

Primary crops included maize, beans, squash, and cacao, which supported sedentary life.

What kind of sacrifice did Mesoamericans do?

Rituals sacrifice, executions for ceremonies

Ball game

A traditional game shaped like an L with ritual significance in Mesoamerican cultures, often associated with religious practices different rules for every place.

Planetary knowledge, Meso

Understanding of celestial bodies and their significance, often used in calendars and rituals.

Writing system, Meso

A method of representing spoken language through symbols, allowing for record keeping and communication.

Who had world viewing Cardinal directions?

Mesoamerica

Trade in Jade, Cacao,Obsidan Olmec Civilization

A precious stone highly valued in Mesoamerican cultures for art, trade, and ritual purposes. volcanic rock

Obsidian, Olmec civilization

A naturally occurring volcanic glass used to create sharp tools and weapons.

Androgynous deities in Olmec Civilization

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San Lorenzo

One of the major sites of the Olmec civilization & TODAY, known for its monumental architecture.

El Mirador

An ancient Maya city, Kan kingdom known for its extensive urban planning, pyramids, cities, terraces, canals, walls. First superior highway, network 17 roads. First state in americas (1 mill population)

Classic Maya 250-900 CE

GOLDEN AGE, 40 major cities, 2-10 million ppl. Plazas surrounded by palaces, temples, pyramids. Ball courts, colonial Docs, glyphs, iconography, math, astronomy, social stratification, Agriculture-irrigation & terracing. Hereditary rulership, Polyestheic.

Long Count Calendar

A Mesoamerican calendar system used to track 5 cycles at a time, Kins(days) Winals (20-day months), Tuns (360 days) 12.18.15.4.4

Tikal, Temple of Ah Cacao

A major Maya city known for its impressive temples and historical significance.

Teotihuacán

An ancient Mesoamerican city known for its large pyramids and urban complex.

Mesoamerican agricultures?

maize, squish, beans, cotton

Theories of Classic Maya collapse

Movement north to Yucatan, including environmental exhaustion and warfare.

Temple of the Sun

One of the main structures in Teotihuacán, significant for its size and religious importance.

Maya Calender Round

Repeats every 52 periods of 365 days: Haab 19 months, Tzolk’in 260 days.

Social stratification

The hierarchical organization of individuals in a society based on various socio-economic factors. Mediator,

Math & astronomy in the Maya

The advanced use of mathematics and astronomical observations for calendars and building structures.

Tabasco + Veracruz, Olmec Civilization

“The rubber people”