Ancient MesopotamiaFranceschini

Common Core SS Standards addressed throughout the reading packet:6H.1.3 Use primary and secondary sources to interpret various historical perspectives. 6H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected various civilizations, societies and regions 6H.2.3 Explain how innovation and/or technology transformed civilizations, societies and regions over time 6H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society 6G.1.1 Explain how the physical features and human characteristics of a place influenced the development of civilizations, societies and regions (e.g., location near rivers and natural barriers, trading practices and spread of culture). 6G.1.2 Explain the factors that influenced the movement of people, goods, and ideas and the effects of that movement on societies and regions over time 6G.1.4 Explain how and why civilizations, societies and regions have used, modified and adapted to their environments 6G.2.2 Construct maps, charts and graphs to explain data about geographic phenomena (e.g., migration patterns and population, resource distribution patterns.6E.1.2 Explain how quality of life is impacted by economic choices of civilizations, societies and regions 6C&G.1.4 Compare the role (e.g., maintain order and enforce societal values and beliefs) and evolution of laws and legal systems (e.g., need for and changing nature of codified system of laws and punishment) in various civilizations, societies and regions.6C.1.1 Analyze how cultural expressions reflected the values of civilizations, societies and regions (e.g., oral traditions, art, dance, music, literature, and architecture).

Common Core Reading Standards addressed throughout the reading packet: Locate and cite details, State main ideas and summarize. Determine meanings of words and phrases. Determine how information is presented (sequentially, comparatively, etc.). Integrate and analyze visuals (maps, charts, pictures) etc. with text.

Common Core Writing Standards addressed throughout the reading packet: Produce clear and coherent writing appropriate for the task. Use technology and internet to produce writing. Informative and Explanatory Writing in the context of SS

Unit Vocabulary:Students should write these words in their vocabulary journal and write their meaning with pictures (when possible) as we come across them in our readings.

Neolithic RevolutionAgricultural RevolutionFertile CrescentCivilizationCradle of CivilizationFertileMesopotamia

IrrigationTigris and EuphratesCuneiformInnovationCity-StatesMonarchyDemocracyBabylonia

ziggurat Hammurabi

CaravanMardukTabletsSitePhoeniciadye

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Mesopotamia > GeographyObjectives- SWBAT explain why the Fertile Crescent was the birthplace of civilization. SWBAT ID 3 civilizations of Mesopotamia. SWBAT assess similarity between geography of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia6G.2.1 Use maps, charts, graphs, geographic data and available technology tools to draw conclusions about the emergence, expansion and decline of civilizations, societies and regions 6G.1.1 Explain how the physical features and human characteristics of a place influenced the development of civilizations, societies and regions (e.g., location near rivers and natural barriers, trading practices and spread of culture.6G.1.3 Compare distinguishing characteristics of various world regions (e.g., physical features, culture, political organization and ethnic make-up

The Fertile Crescent is an area between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in what is today the country of Iraq in Southwest Asia. Human beings have been living in the Fertile Crescent for over 12,000 years. The first people moved to the Fertile Crescent because of the available water and good farmland between the two rivers. The first people moved around in small groups sometimes hunting and sometimes farming. Beginning around 10,000 BC to around 4,000 BC there was the Neolithic Revolution. The Neolithic Revolution was when these groups of people developed new farming methods and made new stone tools. It is sometimes called the Agricultural Revolution. Because of these new inventions, farming became easier. As a result, people did not have to move around as much. They could stay in one place and build large villages and towns. This was the beginning of some of the world’s oldest civilizations. Civilizations are when people not only live together, but they also build big cities, develop religion, develop government and develop art and education.

The area between the Tigris and Euphrates is known as the “cradle of civilization” because it was where some of the earliest civilizations in the world began. Again, this was because the land between the Tigris and Euphrates was so fertile (good for farming). The Greeks called the Fertile Crescent Mesopotamia. Just like the Nile was a gift to the people of Egypt, The Tigris and Euphrates were gifts to the people of this region. Many thousands of years ago, early settlers wandered into the land between two rivers.  Natural vegetation and wildlife kept the people well fed. The rivers provided fresh drinking water, and a place to bathe. These early people settled down, invented a system of irrigation and began to farm.

Trade routes brought distant travelers into new lands. With them they carried the technologies, ideas and cultures from one land to another.  Sitting in the middle of these trade routes were the civilizations of the Middle East. Mesopotamia was the site of three great civilizations beginning around 3,500 BC and ending around AD 600. The three great city-state civilizations in order were Sumer, Babylonia and Assyria. A city-state was a city with a government that

controlled the land and people around it. They were not as big as countries or empires.1

In Northern Mesopotamia, the land is fertile. There is seasonal rain. The rivers and streams are fed from the hills and mountains of the region.  In Southern Mesopotamia, the land is mostly flat and barren. Temperatures can rise over 110 degrees Fahrenheit. There is very little rainfall. Storms do blow in from the Persian Gulf, which cools things off. The area does have slight seasons. It can get quite cool at certain times of the year.  Essential Questions:1) Why was the Fertile Crescent known as the cradle of civilization?2) What were the three great civilizations of Mesopotamia?3) How do you think the geography of Mesopotamia was similar to

Ancient Egypt and in what ways did the geography influence civilization?

Assignment: Write 7 questions and answers. Your questions must be information questions. They must begin with a “Wh” word (who, what, when, where, how, why or which)

The People and Civilizations of Mesopotamia

The Tigris and Euphrates rivers provided the perfect location for these peoples to settle. These two large rivers run along side each other, and span hundreds of miles. Between these rivers are found a crescent shaped landscape where the soil is fertile. This area is known as the Fertile Crescent.

Some of the first civilizations on Earth formed in the Fertile Crescent. Many of these cities banded together forming small kingdoms. Sumer, Babylonia and Assyria were the most prominent civilizations of the land we call Mesopotamia.

Map Questions- Look at the map on the next page and answer the following questions.

1. What body of water do the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers empty?2. Where is Ancient Egypt in relation to Mesopotamia (What

direction)?3. What desert is south of the Fertile Crescent?4. What sea is to the west?5. Which seas are north?

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SumerObjectives- SWBAT list important inventions of Sumerians. SWBAT contrast Sumerian loyalty to the city-state to our modern view of loyalty as nations.6H.1.3 Use primary and secondary sources to interpret various historical perspectives. 6H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected various civilizations, societies and regions 6H.2.3 Explain how innovation and/or technology transformed civilizations, societies and regions over time 6H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society 6G.1.4 Explain how and why civilizations, societies and regions have used, modified and adapted to their environments 6C&G.1.4 Compare the role (e.g., maintain order and enforce societal values and beliefs) and evolution of laws and legal systems (e.g., need for and changing nature of codified system of laws and punishment) in various civilizations, societies and regions.

In about 3500 B.C., a people known as the Sumerians migrated from Asia into Mesopotamia. These people founded a city located in the Sumer Valley. In the beginning, they were an agricultural community. They grew crops and stored food for times of need. The ancient Sumerians were very smart. They invented the wheel, the

sailboat, frying pans, razors and the first written language called cuneiform. Other important innovations included plows and plow seeders for farming, hammers, axes, pottery, bronze tools and kilns for cooking. They invented a system of mathematics based on the number 60. Today, we divide an hour into 60 minutes, and a minute into 60 seconds. That comes from the ancient Mesopotamians.

By around 3000 B.C., the Sumerians had formed a number of complex city-states. A city-state is a large city along with any surrounding territory that is ruled by a single entity or ruler. It is believed that there were at least 12 Sumerians City-States in the Fertile Crescent. The people of these city-states shared a common culture and religion with one another. However, their rulers had complete autonomy from one another. They ruled their city-states without any interference from the leaders of other city-states.

The ancient Sumerians built many cities along the Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers. Archaeologists believe that their largest city, the city of Ur, had a population of around 24,000 residents. The ancient Mesopotamians created a government that was a combination of monarchy and democracy. Kings ruled the people. Elected officials who served in the Assembly also ruled the people. Even kings had to ask the Assembly for permission to do certain things.

Law held a special place in their civilization. Sumerian laws were not written down, but people knew what they were and they knew what could happen to you if you broke the law. The Sumerian laws clearly said how you had to behave and what your punishment would be if you did not behave correctly. The laws that were later written down by the ancient Babylonians were, for the most part, laws first created by the ancient Sumerians. 

Around 2,000 B.C., the Sumerian city-states were conquered and united by a succession of rulers and empire builders from Akkad. The first great ruler was a man by the name of Sargon of Akkad. Legend suggests that Sargon was abandoned by his mother. Placed in a reed basket, he was pushed into the Euphrates River where he was found by a farmer in the kingdom of Akkad. Eventually Sargon grew up and became the ruler of Akkad. He immediately began a military campaign in which he united all the Sumerian city-states. Following the death of Sargon’s grandson, the empire that he had built collapsed.

About a thousand years later, the Babylonians took over Sumeria in the south, and the Assyrians took over in the north, but the Sumerian culture lived on. Essential Questions:

1. Name 5 important inventions of the Sumerians and state what you think was the significance.

2. Explain what a Sumerian city-state was. How would you contrast a Sumerians view of loyalty to our own.

Other Questions:

1. What did all Sumerian city-states have in common? How were they different?

2. Explain how Mesopotamia was considered both a democracy and a monarchy.

3. Who was Sargon and what impact did he have on Mesopotamian city-states?

BabyloniaObjectives- SWBAT write an argumentative essay stating whether or not they feel Hammurabi’s code was just.6H.1.3 Use primary and secondary sources to interpret various historical perspectives. 6H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society (e.g., Mansa Musa, Confucius, Charlemagne and Qin Shi Huangdi6C&G.1.4 Compare the role (e.g., maintain order and enforce societal values and beliefs) and evolution of laws and legal systems (e.g., need for and changing nature of codified system of laws and punishment) in various civilizations, societies and regions.

About a thousand years after the ancient Sumerians settled in the land between two rivers, two new civilizations arose.  One was the warrior civilization of the Assyrians in northern Mesopotamia. The other was the ancient civilization of Babylonia. Babylonia was located in

southern Mesopotamia, near the Persian Gulf.  Babylonia had a long history. The people achieved a high level of civilization. 

3500 years ago, Babylon was an impressive place. It was a massive walled city, with a network of canals and vivid green crops. Even from a distance, visitors could see the top of the 300-foot high ziggurat long before they reached the huge city. Babylonian religious activities were centered around the temple, the ziggurat. Like the Sumerians, the Babylonians held elaborate festivals and had many different kinds of priests. Their priests spent most of their time driving away evil spirits.  

Hammurabi’s CodeThe most powerful and most famous Babylonia ruler was King

Hammurabi. We know a good deal about the great king Hammurabi. Babylonian culture was based on law. Everybody had to obey the law. Hammurabi wrote down and unified all the laws of ancient Babylonia so that everyone had to obey the law equally, rich and poor alike.  

The Sumerians had created the first written cuneiform. Using this written language, Hammurabi created the first written set of laws. In Hammurabi's court, it did not matter if you were rich or poor. If you broke the law, and were found guilty, you would be punished. Since the laws were clearly written down, everyone was expected to obey them.

Hammurabi (ca. 1792 - 1750 BC) was successful in uniting all of Mesopotamia under his forty-three year reign of Babylon.  Hammurabi’s Code consisted of two hundred eighty-two laws concerning a wide variety of abuses.  Below are 12 examples of his code. Read for yourself and see what you think.   

The Code of Hammurabi1. (196) If a man put out the eye of another man, his eye shall be

put out.2. (197) If he break another man’s bone, his bone shall be broken3. (199) If he put out the eye of a man’s slave or break the bone of

a man’s slave, he shall pay one-half of its value.4. (200) If a man knocks out the teeth of his equal, his teeth shall

be knocked out.

5. (188) If an artisan has undertaken to rear a child and teaches him his craft, he cannot be demanded back.

6. (121) If anyone store corn in another man’s house he shall pay him storage at the rate of one gur for every five ka of corn per year.

7. (109) If conspirators meet in the house of a tavern keeper, and these conspirators are not captured and delivered to the court, the tavern keeper shall be put to death.

8. (53) If anyone be too lazy to keep his dam in proper condition and does not so keep it,: if then the dam breaks and all the fields be flooded, then shall he in whose dam the break occurred be sold for money, and the money shall replace the corn which he has caused to be ruined.

9. (3) If anyone bring an accusation of any crime before the elders, and does not prove what he has charged, he shall, if be a capital offense charged, be put to death.

10. (6) If anyone steal the property of a temple or of the court, he shall be put to death, and also the one who receives the stolen thing from him shall be put to death.

11. (22) If anyone is committing robbery and is caught, then he shall be put to death.

12. (14) If anyone steal the minor child of another, he shall be put to death.

Questions:1. What are three offenses in which one can be put to death?2. Rephrase law 188 in your own words.3. What can one infer from laws 199 and 200 about society equity?4. What was the purpose for writing these laws?5. What conclusion can you draw about Hammurabi’s society?

Unit Writing Tasks:> Use informational text to support all of your writing- pictures, maps, textbooks, primary and secondary sources, artifacts, political cartoons, etc.Read Hammurabi’s code. Do you think Hammurabi was justified in implementing his code? Use specific facts to justify your opinion. Also, do you think his code would be just today? Explain you answerParagraph 1 > Introduction – an interesting beginning stating your argumentParagraph 2 > Argument 1 with justificationsParagraph 3> Argument 2 with justificationsParagraph 4 > Argument 3 with justificationsParagraph 5 > Conclusion- Summarize your view in different words than your introduction

One of the most important aspects of Babylonian religion was the ziggurat. Ziggurats were huge "stepped" buildings. They were temples to worship their gods.

AssyriaObjectives- SWBAT summarize the accomplishments of Assyria.6H.2.3 Explain how innovation and/or technology transformed civilizations, societies and regions over time (e.g., agricultural technology, weaponry, transportation and communication).

The Assyrians also lived in the land between two rivers. Their home was in northern Mesopotamia towards the mountains. They were famous traders. Their donkeys and caravans were known throughout the Mesopotamian area. Their religion was similar to that of Sumer and Babylon. They worshiped many of the same gods. But they had their own language and their own lifestyle. 

The Assyrians were always at war with somebody. The warriors could be extremely brutal and cruel to the people they conquered. Conquered nations were heavily taxed to support the Assyrian empire. They tried to conquer the southern regions of Mesopotamia, with an eye especially on controlling Babylonia, but their revolts were put down. They were much more successful attacking and conquering the people to the east and west.  

Assyrian artists were very talented. We know a great deal about life in ancient Assyria because of the wonderful legacy of art discovered by archaeologists. Talented artisans used art to tell stories of battles and war heroes with scenes painted on ceramics. There are scenes of warrior camps, men striding in armor, and war chariots, and baked bread. Bread must have been very important to these ancient people. 

Eventually, around 1200 BCE, the Assyrians were able to conquer Babylon. Babylon was the greatest city of the age. Rather than take over the city for their own use, the Assyrians leveled it. They hated the

Babylonians. Before they destroyed the town, they forced all the people to move to various places in Assyria. That's what the Assyrians always did when they conquered a new people. They moved them around so the conquered people would find it difficult to revolt.  

After they leveled the Babylon, the Assyrians began to worry. What if Marduk, the great god, thought they were attacking him? They worried and worried, and finally decided to rebuild the city, so that Marduk would not punish them for destroying a city built in his honor. They really had no use for the city. They rebuilt Babylon, but left it an empty city. Eventually, people found the empty city and moved in. Babylon would actually rise again to become great. 

Around 600 BCE, before the people of ancient Mesopotamia were conquered by the great Persian Empire, the last Assyrian king started a project. He began collecting a library of clay tablets of all the literature of Sumer, Babylon, and Assyria.  No one knows how many tablets he actually collected, but when this library was discovered in modern times, over 30,000 tablets still remained in the great Library at Nineveh, his capital city.  These tablets are our single most important source of knowledge about ancient Mesopotamia. The tablets include the Story of Gilgamesh, Hammurabi's Code, and many other important documents and stories created by these amazing people - the ancient Mesopotamians. Essential Question

1. What were Assyria’s major accomplishments?Assignment

a. For each paragraph write down 2 important ideas and details.

b. Use your notes to write a paragraph that summarizes the accomplishments of Assyria

Conclusion:Accomplishments of Mesopotamian Civilizations

Objectives- SWBAT summarize the accomplishments of Mesopotamian civilizations in a graphic organizer.

Mesopotamian people had an advanced society. When a group of people have time to develop other things besides farming and hunting in their society, then they become a civilization. A civilization has and makes advancements in things such as religion, law, government and education. Mesopotamian people have been given credit for many accomplishments. They had many accomplishments in technology. One of the most important was in irrigation. Irrigation refers to watering crops by bringing in water through canals or pipes. Mesopotamian people built irrigation canals that led from the rivers to their farms. This is what allowed them to settle in one place permanently without having to move around constantly searching for food. Once they were able to produce enough food, the people had

time to develop other things for society. For example, if there is enough food for everyone then not everyone has to be a farmer. People can do other things, like architecture (designing buildings).

Soon the Mesopotamians had organized governments, which had armies to protect the people. Governments also collected taxes. These taxes were used to pay for roads, buildings, armies, etc. One of the most important rulers was a man named Hammurabi, ruler of Babylon. Hammurabi of Babylon became so powerful that he ruled all of Mesopotamia. To keep order he came up with a set of laws called the Code of Hammurabi. The laws were carved in pieces of stone and placed all around Mesopotamia so everyone would know them. This was important because Hammurabi was one of the first to write down his laws for all to see. Mesopotamian city-states also made advancements in architecture, government, mathematics and writing. It would also be in Mesopotamia where three of the world’s great religions would develop: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Essential Questions:1) What do all civilizations have in common?2) Name three accomplishments of Mesopotamian city-states.3) Who was Hammurabi and why was he important?Assignment: Write 7 questions and answers. Your questions must be information questions. They must begin with a “Wh” word (who, what, when, where, how, why or which)

Other Early Civilizations6H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected various civilizations, societies and regions 6H.2.3 Explain how innovation and/or technology transformed civilizations, societies and regions over time 6H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society 6G.1.1 Explain how the physical features and human characteristics of a place influenced the development of civilizations, societies and regions (e.g., location near rivers and natural barriers, trading practices and spread of culture). 6G.1.2 Explain the factors that influenced the movement of people, goods, and ideas and the effects of that movement on societies and regions over time 6G.1.4 Explain how and why civilizations, societies and regions have used, modified and adapted to their environments 6C.1.1 Analyze how cultural expressions reflected the values of civilizations, societies and regions (e.g., oral traditions, art, dance, music, literature, and architecture). 6C&G.1.4 Compare the role (e.g., maintain order and enforce societal values and beliefs) and evolution of laws and legal systems (e.g., need for and changing nature of codified system of laws and punishment) in various civilizations, societies and regions.

The PhoeniciansObjectives- SWBAT ID the location of the Phoenician civilization, list its accomplishments and analyze how they used the environment around them.6H.2.3 Explain how innovation and/or technology transformed civilizations, societies and regions over time (e.g., agricultural technology, weaponry, transportation and communication). 6H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society (e.g., Mansa Musa, Confucius, Charlemagne and Qin Shi Huangdi

Mesopotamia was the site (place) of some of the earliest civilizations but there were other significant early civilizations as well.

Phoenicia began along the eastern banks of the Mediterranean Sea in Southwest Asia (Middle East). Today it would be the country of Lebanon. Phoenicia (foh-NEE-shee-ah) is the Greek name for the Amorites. These people settled in what are today Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. They were later called Canaanites or Phoenicians. Because their civilization was located on the Mediterranean Sea, the Phoenicians became excellent seamen and shipbuilders. They became powerful by trading throughout the Mediterranean. The Phoenicians colonized many areas along the Mediterranean Sea including Cyprus and Carthage. The Phoenicians were most powerful from about 1200 B.C. to 900 B.C.

The Phoenicians had many accomplishments. The Phoenicians developed a written alphabet. They were the best shipbuilders and seaman of their time. They learned to work with metal to make tools and weapons. They also became excellent at making glass and ceramics. They are most remembered for learning how to make dye for clothing, especially purple. Dye is what gives clothes color. Dye was made from plants, animals and fish. Because they were excellent seamen, the Phoenicians traded goods all around the Mediterranean region (see map).

The Phoenicians lived in city-states. A city-state was a city with a government that controlled the land and people around it. Each Phoenician city-state had its own ruler. Sidon, Tyre and Byblos were the most famous cities in Phoenicia. The cities were centers of business, industry and navigation. These city-states traded with each other and spoke the same language but they never came together to form one nation to protect one another. Eventually more powerful nations such as the Persians would defeat these city-states. Essential Questions :

1. Where was Phoenicia?2. How did the Phoenicians become powerful and how did they use

their environment?3. List 3 accomplishments of the Phoenicians.

Map Questions:1. Name the 3 major Phoenician city-states. 2. Name two places the Phoenicians colonized.

Assignment: Write 7 questions and answers. Your questions must be information questions.

The Hittite Empire and the Persian EmpireObjectives- SWBAT ID the location of the Hittites and Persian civilizations, list their accomplishments and analyze how they used the environment around them.

Another early civilization was the Hittite Empire. Between 1450 B.C.E. and 1200 B.C.E. the Hittites ruled it is today modern Turkey and Syria. Although their civilization occurred during the Bronze Age, the Hittites were one of the first to produce iron weapons and tools. This was well before the Iron Age. The use of iron allowed the Hittites to conquer less technologically advanced civilizations in Mesopotamia including the Babylonians.

The Persian Empire was yet another important civilization located in Southwest Asia. It began in what is today Iran but eventually took control over most of the Middle East including Mesopotamia. By about 550 B.C.E. led by Cyrus the Great, the Persian

Empire became the most powerful. Because it was so large, the Persian kings divided their empires into provinces (territories). The king then appointed a satrap (governor) to rule the province. The Persians had great skill in government. They were able to control large numbers of people and large territories by delegating power to satraps who were still under the authority of kings and emperors. The Persians built roads to connect the different parts of their empire. This allowed people to travel, to collect taxes and to trade.

Essential Questions : 1. Where were the Hittite and Persian Empires?2. How did the Hittite and Persian become powerful and how did

they use their environments?3. List 3 accomplishments of the Hittites and Persians.

The Indus Valley Civilizations and the AryansObjectives- SWBAT ID the location of the Indus Valley civilizations, list their accomplishments and analyze how they used the environment around them.

Like Egypt and Mesopotamia, The Indus River Valley civilization was another important civilization that began along a river. The Indus River flows through what is today Pakistan and India in South Asia. Harappa and Mohenjaro-Daro were the two most significant cities built by the Indus Valley people between 2,500 B.C.E. and 1,500 B.C.E.

As with both the Nile River and the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, The Indus River flooded

yearly leaving behind rich nutrients in the soil. The land was excellent for farming and the river water was used for irrigation. The abundance of food allowed Harappan and Mohenjaro-Daron cities to flourish. The cities were very advanced. There is even evidence they had sewers and toilets to carry away sewage.

Little else is known about Indus Valley civilizations but many historians and archaeologists believe another group of people known as the Aryans migrated into the region took control.

The Aryans were extremely important because their culture influenced modern India’s culture even to this day. They brought with them the belief in a caste system, the Sanskrit language and a collection of religious writings and prayers known as the Vedas and Upanishads. All of these later developed into the Hindu religion which we will study in much more detail later.Essential Questions :

1. Where were the Indus Valley civilizations?2. How did the Indus Valley civilizations become powerful and how

did they use their environments?3. List accomplishments of the Indus Valley civilizations.4. Who were the Aryans and why were they important?

The Olmec CivilizationObjectives- SWBAT ID the location of the Olmec civilization, list its accomplishments and analyze how they used the environment around them.

Across the globe, on the other side of the world the Olmecs of Mesoamerica became a powerful civilization around 1,200 B.C.E. Mesoamerica includes present day Mexico and Central America. In their warm humid climate they were able to grow enough maize (corn), beans and squash to feed large numbers of people. The Olmecs were expert farmers and practiced a type of farming known as slash-and-burn farming. They would cut the trees of a forest down and wait a period of several months as the trees dried out. They would then light the trees on fire, burning them all into ashes. These ashes acted as a fertilizer, making the soil more fertile. These farmers then farmed the land a few years until it was no longer fertile, at which point they moved on to the next forest.

The Olmecs built cities with large buildings and statues of giant heads and jaguars. The jaguars had a human body and a jaguar head. Most archaeologists feel the heads and jaguars represented Olmec gods. Like the Egyptians, The Olmecs built pyramids that were most likely used as religious temples. Also like the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, the Olmecs had a glyph writing system, a calendar and numbers. The cities of San Lorezo, La Venta and Tres Zapotes are still cities today that were actually founded by the Olmecs. Eventually the Olmec civilization gave way to another great Mexican civilization

known as the Mayans. However, the Olmecs are considered a cultural hearth. In other words, the Olmec civilization influenced other Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Maya, Toltecs and Aztecs.

Essential Questions : 1. Where was the Olmec civilizations?2. How did the Olmec civilization become powerful and how did

they use their environments?3. List accomplishments of the Olmec civilization.