Earliest Americans
• Many scholars believe that Asians crossed the land
bridge (Beringia) chasing animals around 10,000 BC
• Others believe Asians island-hopped across the
Pacific
• Around 7,000 BC the Americas underwent an
agricultural revolution (maize was the staple). They
also grew squash, gourds, beans, avocado, and
chilies.
• Farmers created dirt islands in ponds and lakes
because they were naturally irrigated and provided
3+ harvests per year
• Agriculture provided reliable food source, allowing
for specialization. They developed skills in arts,
building, and other fields
• Social gap increased with specialization
Early Mesoamerica
• Mesoamerica stretches from central Mexico to
northern Honduras
• 1st civilization was Olmec (1200 BC); thrived from
800-400 BC------MAP on 241
• The Gulf Coast contained abundant resources in
salt, tar, clay, wood, and rubber. These were good
for trading
• Two cities– San Lorenzo and La Venta; both
important for trade and religion (polytheistic)
• Not sure about their demise, but scholars think that
invaders caused it
• 2nd civilization develops in Oaxaca (the Zapotec
people)
• Region of mountains and valleys in S. Mexico (pg 241)
• Had fertile soil, a mild climate, and adequate rainfall
• City of Monte Alban emerges as the Zapotec urban
center. Had a commanding view of the valley from
a plateau and was home to 25,000 people
• The Zapotec controlled the Oaxaca Valley for
approximately 1,000 years
Olmec and Zapotec Legacies
Olmec
• Art and design (buildings)
• Idea of ceremonial centers
• Idea of an elite ruling class
• Ritual ball games
Zapotec
• Hieroglyphic writing system
• First city builders in Americas
• Calendar system based on mvmt of the sun
Early Andes Civilization
•
•
•
•
2nd tallest mtn range in the world
Stretches from _________to ___________
First civilization emerge in Peru
__________________________________________
_____
• Areas between mtns and oceans are a coastal plain
that contains river valleys
• First inhabitants were hunter-gatherers who start
farming around 3,000 BC
Chavin Settlements
• __________ is est. in the mountains (900-200 BC)
• Primarily a ___________civilization (no political or
economic evidence found)
• Passed down art styles (stone carving, pottery,
textiles) down to later South American civilizations
• Considered the “_______________” in S. America
like Olmec is in Mesoamerica
• Hunter-gatherers who rely on seafood and small
game for food source
• Found ____________and _______________
• As the Chavin decline, the ____________and
__________emerge
Nazca
• Nazca flourish from 200 BC-600 AD in southern
region of Peru
• Because it was relatively dry, Nazca developed
_________________to farm the lands
• The Nazca are known for their beautiful
______________and _______________
• Most importantly known for “________________”
Moche
• Est. on the northern regions of Peru 100-700 AD
• Grew
__________________________________________
with the aid of the rivers and their irrigation system
• Also were hunter-gatherers who ________
• Extremely wealthy civilization
(______________________)
• Moche were artistic created exquisite pottery
that depicted everyday life (no written language)
• Unsure of their religious practices and their decline