MESOAMERICA

Early Mesoamerican societies 1200 BCE – 1100 CE

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Olmecs

•  1200-100 BCE •  The “Rubber People” •  Ceremonial Centers – San Lorenzo, La Venta, Tres Zapotes

•  Olmec Heads – Up to 10 ft tall, 20 tons – Transported by dragging, rolling on logs – 1000/workers per head

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•  Staple: maize •  Probably authoritarian

in nature •  Large class of

conscripted laborers to construct ceremonial sites

•  Ceremonial centers destroyed

•  No evidence of warfare

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Maya •  Huge cities discovered in 19th c. •  300 BCE-900 CE •  Terrace Farming – Maize – cotton

•  Cacao beans – chocolate – currency

•  Major ceremonial center at Tikal

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Maya Warfare

•  Warfare for purposes of capturing enemy soldiers

•  Ritual sacrifice of enemies – Enslavement – Small kingdoms engage in constant conflict until

Chichén Itzá begins to absorb captives •  Some nevertheless choose death •  Center of empire develops

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Mayan Ritual Calendar

•  Complex math –  Invention of “Zero”

•  Calendar of 365.242 days (17 seconds off) – Solar calendar of 365 days – Ritual calendar of 260 days

•  Management of calendar lends authority to priesthood – Timing of auspicious moments for agriculture

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Mayan Language and Religion

•  Ideographs and a syllable-alphabet – Most writings destroyed by Spanish conquerors – Deciphering work began in 1960s

•  Popol Vuh: Mayan creation myth •  Agricultural cycle maintained in exchange for

honors and sacrifices •  Bloodletting rituals – Human sacrifices follow after removal of fingers,

piercing to allow blood flow

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The Maya Ball Game

•  Ritual game •  High-ranking captives, prisoners of war

contestants •  Execution of losers immediately follows the

match •  Bloodletting ritual for the gods

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•  h"p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0kOyGZxKh4

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City of Teotihuacan

•  Highlands of Mexico •  Lakes in area of high elevation •  Village of Teotihuacan, 500 BCE, expands to

become massive city –  Important ceremonial center

•  Extensive trade network, influenced surrounding areas

•  Begins to decline c. 650 CE, sacked in middle of 8th century, massive library destroyed

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City of Teotihuacan