MESOAMERICA
Olmec, Aztec, Maya, Inca
The Olmec
- AKA “Rubber People”
- Lasted from 1400 BCE to 100 BCE
- Lived along the gulf of Mexico in a series of river valleys
- Crops and main food sources-Maize, squash, beans, grains, gourds, avocado, white tailed deer, turtles, fish, dogs
- Domesticated animals- Dogs
Huge monumental sculptures created by the Olmecs are an indication of a civilization with powerful leaders.
Most likely a chiefdom
Decline of Olmec civilization began in 100 BCE for reasons unknown
The Aztec
Civilization of Mexico
Lasted from 1325 through 1520
Located in Northern Mexico
Food source -food production from floating islands of soil, chinampas, held by willow trees.
Domesticated animals - Dogs and Turkeys were the only domesticated animals.
Agriculture geographic challenges - One challenge all farmers face is retaining nutrients in the soil where crops are planted.
Scientific advancements - Development of mathematics, canoe, Aztec calendar, and medicine.
http://www.mexicolore.co.uk/aztecs/ask-experts/which-pet-was-the-aztecs-favourite
http://www.aztec-indians.com/aztec-technology.html)
The Maya
Mesoamerican civilization developed by Maya peoples
Archaic Period prior to 2000 B.C. saw the first developments in agriculture and earliest villages
Crops of the Maya diet includes, maize, squashes, and chili peppers.
First cities of the Maya were around 750 BCE and about 500 BCE they were possessed monumental.
250 AD- period is defined by the Mayan monuments with long count dates created at this time
this period saw Mayan civilizations develop a large amount of city-states with a complex trade network linking them.
The Inca
- Lasted from about 12th century AD To 1572
- Located in Andes Region, in what is now southeastern Peru
- Their main source of food was over forty varieties of potatoes, avocados, tomatoes, corn, beans, squash
- The only domesticated animals were llamas, alpacas, guinea pigs
- One challenge the Inca people faced was foreign diseases that ultimately became the death of them.
http://www.history.com/topics/inca