Is a Civilization Civilized? - Apocalypto
Early humans were forced to struggle against an
inhospitable environment in order to survive. Gradually, they
developed the skills that would improve the quality of their
lives. Very early on, they learned the importance of
community and cooperation. The Neolithic revolution
changed humans from a society of hunters and gatherers to a
society of farmers. The advent of agriculture was one of the
most significant developments in human history. Agriculture
allowed those conditions that we consider to be characteristic
of the earliest civilizations.
Around 2500BCE, the cultures of Central and South
America ceased to be hunter-gatherers and began to cultivate
corn, beans and squash. With the agricultural revolution came
the development of cultures that reached an extremely high
standard of social and technological achievement. Two of the
most fascinating ancient civilizations to develop in Central and
South America were the Maya and Inca. The Maya in Central
America built large cities with complex buildings and
magnificent art. They developed a system of mathematics that
included the concept of zero, a 365-day calendar, and a
writing system.
Watch the movie Apocalypto (2006) directed by Mel Gibson, and fill out the accompanying
chart. Find examples from the movie that indicate that the Mayans depicted in the film fulfill the
basic characteristics and essential features that make up a CIVILIZATION.
Complete the chart by selecting examples from the movie that demonstrate each characteristic of
Civilization.
Criteria for a Civilization
Centralized
Government or
Good
Governance
Agricultural
Intensification or
Effective Use of
Resources.
Specialization in
Occupations
Class Structure
Merchants and
Trade.
Development of
Science and
Writing
State Religion or
Beliefs and Value
Systems
Example from the Movie