HIST 1111 - Week 6

Bering Strait Land Bridge

A land bridge that connected Asia and North America during the last ice age, allowing human migration into the Americas.

Coastal Migration

The theory that early humans traveled along the coastline of Asia and North America to reach and settle the Americas.

Amazon Rainforest

A vast rainforest in South America that made large-scale settlement difficult in many areas.

Amazon River

A South American river with the largest volume of water in the world.

Andes Mountains

A major mountain range along the western side of South America that strongly influenced climate and settlement.

Pampas

A large grassland region in South America known for good grazing conditions.

Andes Rain Shadow

A dry region created when the Andes Mountains block moisture from reaching areas to the west.

Atacama Desert

A very dry desert on the western coast of South America with extremely little rainfall.

Andean Agriculture

Agriculture adapted to the Andes through crops such as potatoes and methods suited to difficult mountain environments.

Andean Domesticated Animal

The llama and alpaca were major domesticated animals in the Andes and were used as pack animals.

Andean High-Altitude Adaptation

Andean peoples developed larger hearts and lungs and shorter bodies to function more efficiently at high altitudes.

Chavín

An Andean culture that developed around 900–200 BCE and spread from the Peruvian coast toward the northern plateau.

Chavín Art

Chavín art featured elaborate standing stones and carved stone imagery associated with jaguars, predators, and religious beliefs.

Chavín Influence

Chavín culture influenced later Andean cultures through its art, religious ideas, and traditions.

Moche

An Andean culture that flourished around 100–800 CE and became known for pottery, art, large buildings, and metallurgy.

Moche Architecture

The Moche built large structures with plaster reliefs that resembled ziggurats.

Moche Religion

The Moche created artificial mountains and other structures associated with communication with their gods.

Moche Metallurgy

The Moche were skilled metalworkers and created objects using gold.

Nazca

An Andean culture that flourished around 100 BCE–600 CE and was known for pottery, art, and large-scale geoglyphs.

Nazca Environment

The Nazca lived in a desert environment and used natural materials reinforced with adobe to construct buildings and spaces.

Nazca Geoglyphs

Large designs created on the ground that are associated with Nazca culture.

Nazca Underground Systems

The Nazca created systems connected to underground aquifers, allowing them to access water in their dry environment.

Nazca Religion

The Nazca practiced a form of mummification and connected underground systems and rituals to religious practices.

Mesoamerica

A cultural region of the Americas where civilizations developed in areas including present-day Mexico and Central America.

Teotihuacan

A major ancient city-state in the Valley of Mexico known for planned urban development, trade, and religious architecture.

Teotihuacan Avenue of the Dead

A central road running through Teotihuacan that organized the city and connected major structures.

Teotihuacan Religious Center

The central area of Teotihuacan contained platforms and temples associated with various gods.

Teotihuacan Production

Teotihuacan was a major center of production that created goods such as obsidian tools and other manufactured items.

Teotihuacan Trade

Teotihuacan was connected to extensive trade routes, including trade with peoples farther north.

Teotihuacan Obsidian

Obsidian was a valuable volcanic glass used to make extremely sharp blades and tools.

Teotihuacan Decline

Teotihuacan eventually declined and disappeared as a major political center.

Olmec

An early Mesoamerican civilization known for monumental art and large stone heads.

Olmec Colossal Heads

Large carved stone heads that are among the best-known examples of Olmec art.

Olmec Trade

The Olmec participated in long-distance exchange networks that helped spread their cultural influence.

Maya

A major Mesoamerican civilization that developed complex cities, religious traditions, writing, mathematics, and calendars.

Maya Agriculture

Maya communities developed agricultural systems suited to their environment and supported large populations.

Maya Astronomy

The Maya closely observed celestial movements and developed sophisticated astronomical knowledge.

Maya Calendar

The Maya developed complex calendar systems used to organize time and religious activities.

Maya Writing

The Maya developed a sophisticated writing system used to record information and communicate ideas.

Maya Social Structure

Maya society was hierarchical, with rulers and elites holding greater political and religious power.

Teotihuacan and Trade

Teotihuacan's location and production allowed it to participate in extensive trade networks across Mesoamerica.

Human Sacrifice in Mesoamerica

Some Mesoamerican societies practiced human sacrifice as part of religious rituals and believed it maintained relationships with the gods.

Mesoamerican Ball Game

A ritual game played in Mesoamerica that involved using a ball on a specialized court and had religious and cultural significance.

Mesoamerican Gods

Mesoamerican religions involved multiple gods connected to natural forces, agriculture, warfare, and other aspects of life.

Mesoamerican Pyramids

Large monumental structures used for religious and ceremonial purposes, often supporting temples.

Mesoamerican Trade Routes

Networks that connected different communities and allowed goods, ideas, and cultural practices to spread.

Mesoamerican Obsidian

A valuable volcanic material used to create sharp blades and other tools.

Maya Social Hierarchy

Maya society included powerful rulers and elites as well as commoners who performed agricultural and other labor.

Teotihuacan Obsidian Blades

Extremely sharp blades made from obsidian that were used as tools and weapons.

Teotihuacan Architecture

Teotihuacan featured planned streets, large ceremonial structures, platforms, and temples.

Teotihuacan Trade with North America

Teotihuacan maintained trade connections extending toward regions of North America.

Moche Social Organization

Moche society was highly organized and supported large monumental structures, religious practices, and specialized product