Class Slides Set 34
New World Civilizations
Olmec Figurine
Teotihuacános
(Teotihuacán)
Aztec
Bulldogs
Zapotec /
Mixtec
Maya
(Monte Albán)
Olmec
Inka
Chimu
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 480.
Old World and New World: Similarities

state economies based on agriculture and
long distance trade

power leaders

social stratification

human labor invested in large-scale
constructions
Old World and New World: Similarities

public art styles

state religions

prominent role of warfare

record keeping
 Maya
Mathematics
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 487.
Old World and New World: Differences
In the New World:

domesticated animals had minor status in
agriculture

technological role of metal was limited

wheel played no important function
–
but some toys had wheels, so people understood the
principles involved
New World Civilizations – Chapter 18

Lowland Mesoamerica

Highland Mexico

Peru

European Conquest of the New World
Lowland Mesoamerica
Highland Mexico
Peru
Time line of “New World Civilizations.”
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 479.
Time line of “New World Civilizations.”
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 479.
New World Civilizations

Lowland Mesoamerica



Highland Mexico





Teotihuacán
Zapotec
Mixtec
Aztec
Peru


Olmec
Maya
Inka and their predecessors
European Conquest of the New World
Mesoamerica
geographical and cultural region from central Mexico
through Nicaragua
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
Cultural Regions of Mesoamerica
Olmec
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
Olmec Region
• La Venta
Mesoamerican archaeological sites.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
Maya Region
•
•
•
•
•
•
Uaxactún
Tikál
Copán
Palenque
Kaminaljuyú
Chichén Itzá = “Toltec-Maya”
Mesoamerican archaeological sites.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
Oaxaca Region
• Monte Albán = Zapotec / Mixtec
• Mitla
= Mixtec
Mesoamerican archaeological sites.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
Valley of Mexico Region
• Teotihuacán = “Teotihuacános”
• Tula
= Toltec
• Tenochtitlán = Aztec = Nahua
Mesoamerican archaeological sites.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
New World Civilizations

Lowland Mesoamerica

Highland Mexico

Peru

European Conquest of the New World
New World Civilizations

Lowland Mesoamerica
–
The Olmec
–
The Classic Maya
New World Civilizations

Lowland Mesoamerica
–
The Olmec
 The
“Mother Culture” of Mesoamerica
 culture
in the gulf coast lowlands of Veracruz
and Tabasco, Mexico
 3,200
- 2,400 y.a.
Olmec Region
• La Venta
Mesoamerican archaeological sites.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
 Olmec
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 479.
The Olmec (3,200 - 2,400 y.a.)

established the region’s first ceremonial
centers on a grand scale
The Olmec (3,200 - 2,400 y.a.)

distinctive art included
anthropomorphic
sculptures that combined
features of humans and
animals
 anthropomorphic
–
having or being given humanlike characteristics
Mayan anthropomorphic bird of prey.
 Olmec
–
culture in the Gulf coast lowlands of Veracruz
and Tabasco, Mexico, with a highly developed
art style and social complexity; flourished from
3,200 to 2,400 y.a.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 482.
Monumental Olmec head excavated at San Lorenzo, in Mexico.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 482.
 Olmec
Olmec jade figurines, La Venta, Mexico.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 483.
Olmec figure, carved from Jade.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., pp. 480, 482.
The Olmec (3,200 - 2,400 y.a.)

used hieroglyphic notation
The Olmec (3,200 - 2,400 y.a.)

had a calendar that would be adopted by
their successors

played sacred ball game
Ball court at Monte Albán, Mexico.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 483.
The Olmec (3,200 - 2,400 y.a.)
New World Civilizations

Lowland Mesoamerica
–
The Olmec
–
The Classic Maya

Maya
–
prehistoric Mesoamerican culture consisting of
regional kingdoms and known for its art and
architectural accomplishments from 1,800 to 1,100
y.a.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
 Maya
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 479.
Classic Maya (1,800 - 1,100 y.a.)

used complex hieroglyphs
Stela I from La Moharra
Maya hieroglyphs on a stela at Copán, Honduras,
record the date and purpose of its dedication.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 486.
Classic Maya (1,800 - 1,100 y.a.)

priestly caste
 observed
the sun, moon and Venus
 predicted
rain
 prescribed
rituals
 performed
sacrifices
New World Civilizations

Lowland Mesoamerica
–
The Olmec
–
The Classic Maya Major Sites
 Uaxactún
 Tikál
 Copán
 Palenque
 Kaminaljuyú
 Chichén
Itzá
Maya Region
•
•
•
•
•
•
Uaxactún
Tikál
Copán
Palenque
Kaminaljuyú
Chichén Itzá = “Toltec-Maya”
Mesoamerican archaeological sites.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
 Uaxactún
 Uaxactún
–
Maya ceremonial center in Guatemala
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
 Tikál
 Tikál
–
principal Maya city and ceremonial center in
Guatemala
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.

ceremonial centers
Public spaces reserved for ritual activities, often
dominated by special architecture and artwork.
Classic Maya
Cylindrical jar
Maya Center, Tikál, Guatemala
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., pp. 486, 485.
Temple pyramid at the Maya ceremonial center of Tikál, Guatemala.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., pp. 480, 485.
This classic Maya cylindrical jar with bird motif and glyphs
was used in ceremonies.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 486.
 Copán
 Copán
–
principal Maya city and ceremonial center in
Honduras, associated with the Early Classic
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
 stelae
–
upright posts or stones, often bearing inscriptions
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 486.
Maya stela at Copán, Honduras,
depicts King 18 Rabbit in ceremonial regalia.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 486.
Maya hieroglyphs on a stela at Copán, Honduras,
record the date and purpose of its dedication.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 486.

Palenque

Palenque
– site located in the lowlands and associated with
Classic Maya
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.

Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque, Mexico
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 485.

Maya noble, limestone relief carving, Palenque.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 484.
 Kaminaljuyú
 Kaminaljuyú
–
site located at Guatemala City, contemporary with
Olmec and also associated with classic Maya
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
Seated Figure, Kaminaljuyú, Guatemala.
Stelae 11, Kaminaljuyú, Guatemala.

Chichén Itzá
 Chichén
–
Itzá
principal Postclassic Maya city and ceremonial
center in Yucatán
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
Toltec-style serpentine columns and votive figure,
Temple of the Warriors, Chichén Itzá, Yucatán, Mexico.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 491.
 Maya
Oaxaca Region
• Monte Albán = Zapotec / Mixtec
• Mitla
= Mixtec
Mesoamerican archaeological sites.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
New World Civilizations

Lowland Mesoamerica

Highland Mexico
–
Teotihuacán
–
The Toltecs and the Postclassic Maya
–
The Aztec
Valley of Mexico Region
• Teotihuacán = “Teotihuacános”
• Tula
= Toltec
• Tenochtitlán = Aztec = Nahua
Mesoamerican archaeological sites.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
New World Civilizations

Lowland Mesoamerica

Highland Mexico
–
Teotihuacán
 Teotihuacán
 Teotihuacán
–
the first city in the Western Hemisphere, located in
central Mexico from 2,200 to 1,350 y.a.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
 Teotihuacán
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 479.
Teotihuacán (2,200 - 1,350 y.a.)

first city in the Western Hemisphere,
located in central Mexico

residents lived in 2,000 residential
compounds based on occupation or social
class

about 1,350 y.a., the ceremonial precinct
was destroyed, nobility were seized and
dismembered
 Quetzalcoatl
–
also known as the Feathered Serpent; a deity
representing good, worshiped by Aztecs and
possibly earlier at Teotihuacán
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 489.

Toltecs
New World Civilizations

Lowland Mesoamerica

Highland Mexico
–
Teotihuacán
–
The Toltecs and the Postclassic Maya
 Toltecs
–
Central Mexican highlands people who created a
pre-Aztec empire with its capital at Tula in the
Valley of Mexico
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
 Toltecs
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 479.
Toltecs and Postclassic Maya

emerged as the most powerful peoples
after demise of Teotihuacán

archaeologists still debate reasons for
their shared elements of art, style and
culture with Chichén Itzá, 800 miles away
 Chichén
–
Itzá
Postclassic Maya site in Yucatán, strongly
linked with the Toltecs of Mexico
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
 Toltecs
Temple of the Warriors,
Chichén Itzá, Yucatán, Mexico.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 491.
New World Civilizations

Lowland Mesoamerica

Highland Mexico
–
Teotihuacán
–
The Toltecs and the Postclassic Maya
–
The Aztec
 Aztec
 Aztecs
–
militaristic people who dominated the Valley of
Mexico and surrounding area at the time of the
European conquest
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 481.
 Aztecs
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 479.
 Aztecs
Aztec rite of human sacrifice, depicted in a 16th century chronicle.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 480.
 chinampas
–
productive fields created in wet environments by
dredging lake bottom muck to form raised ridges or
platforms
 Motecuhzoma
–
Xocoyotzin
last Aztec ruler, also know as Moctezuma II, whose
death at the hands of the Spanish precipitated the
destruction of the Aztec empire
New World Civilizations
Lowland Mesoamerica
 Highland Mexico


Peru
–
–
–
–
–
Fishing, Farming and the Rise of Civilization
The Chavín Phenomenon
Early Cities
From Kingdoms to Empires
The Inka
Peruvian sites and locations.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 493.
New World Civilizations
Lowland Mesoamerica
 Highland Mexico


Peru
–
Fishing, Farming and the Rise of Civilization
Peruvian sites and locations.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 493.
 El
Paraiso
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 479.
Olmec figure, carved from Jade.
New World Civilizations
Lowland Mesoamerica
 Highland Mexico


Peru
–
–
Fishing, Farming and the Rise of Civilization
The Chavín Phenomenon
Chauvin Ceramics, 1200-200 B.C.
New World Civilizations
Lowland Mesoamerica
 Highland Mexico


Peru
–
–
–
Fishing, Farming and the Rise of Civilization
The Chavín Phenomenon
Early Cities
 Moche
 Nazca
Peruvian sites and locations.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 493.
 Early
Cities – Moche and Nazca
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 479.
Moche portrait jar from northern Peru.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 495.
Detail of Paracas Textile, Nazca region of southern Peru.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 496.
Nazca ground drawings as seen from the air included
both zoomorphic and linear motifs.
The monkey is longer than a football field.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 496.
New World Civilizations
Lowland Mesoamerica
 Highland Mexico


Peru
–
–
–
–
Fishing, Farming and the Rise of Civilization
The Chavín Phenomenon
Early Cities
From Kingdoms to Empires
Peruvian sites and locations.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 493.
 Regional
Kingdoms
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 479.
Staff god, Tiwanaku, Peru.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 497.
Peruvian sites and locations.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 493.
 Regional
Kingdoms
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 479.
Aerial view of one of the royal enclosures at Chan Chan, the Chimor capital.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., pp. 480, 497.
New World Civilizations
Lowland Mesoamerica
 Highland Mexico


Peru
–
–
–
–
–
Fishing, Farming and the Rise of Civilization
The Chavín Phenomenon
Early Cities
From Kingdoms to Empires
The Inka
Peruvian sites and locations.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 493.
 Inka
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 479.
The Inka

the last native empire builders of Peru, centered
in the city of Cuzco

countered the development of urban centers,
fearing that city dwellers might be a source of
unrest

2/3 of produce was claimed by the state, stored
in warehouses and redistributed to citizens

lasted only 60 years
Machu Picchu.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., pp. 480, 499.
Inka stone walls of Sacsahuamán, near Cuzco, Peru.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 498.
New World Civilizations

Lowland Mesoamerica

Highland Mexico

Peru

European Conquest of the New World
Sixteenth-century woodblock print depicting an early encounter
between Europeans and Native Americans.
Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 500.
Conquest of Aztec and Inka

in the 1500's Aztec and Inka empires had
reached an apex of achievement in
 art
 social
organization
 commerce
 technology
 learning
 government
 religion
Conquest of Aztec and Inka

European invaders were attracted to their
wealth and power
Conquest of Aztec and Inka

an uprising against European invaders
was quelled due to the help of thousands
of the Aztec's former subjects

by 1521, Aztec fell to the Spanish
conquistadors

Spanish had control of Peru (Inka) by 1538
End of Class Slides Set 34
New World Civilizations
Olmec Figurine