MESOAMERICA

CIVILIZATION
 INTRODUCTION
Mesoamerica refers to the diverse civilizations that shared similar
cultural characteristics in the geographic areas comprising the
modern-day countries of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, El
Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Some of the shared cultural
traits among Mesoamerican peoples included a complex pantheon of
deities, architectural features, a ballgame, the 260-day calendar, trade,
food, dress, and accoutrements. Prior to the Spanish exploration and
conquest in 16 century.
 PAUL KIRCHKOFF
• German-Mexican anthropologist
• first person to use the term Mesoamerica
describe it as a shared cultural traits prior
to the invasion of european
• Mesoamerica - meso is a greeek word for
middle or intermediate
 MOST WELL-KNOWN
MESOAMERICAN CULTURES

OMLEC MAYA AZTEC

CIVILIZATION CIVILIZATION CIVILIZATION
 OMLEC CIVILIZATION
• The name Olmec was created by scholars.

• The Olmec Civilization was one of the most influential ancient civilizations of the early Americas

• Omlec Civilization lasted from 1600 BCE to 350 BCE. They live in the Gulf Coast of Mexico
(Mexican states of Tabasco and Veracruz) it was rich farmland to grow crops. Omlec cities were
developed in San Lorenzo, San Venta, and Laguna de los Cerros.
OMLEC CIVILIZATION
• Olmec is a reference to the rubber production in the area where many of
the artifacts have been discovered. It is derived from the Nahuatl (Aztec)
word "Olmecatl," which means "inhabitant of the rubber country."

• The Olmec may have been the first to discover how to transform rubber
tree latex into something that could be shaped, cured, and hardened.

• They also invented the Mesoamerican ball game, a centuries-old

ceremonial team sport played throughout the region.
OMLEC CIVILIZATION
• Olmec civilization is widely regarded as the "mother culture" of many
other cultures that emerged in the region later.

• The cultures in the Maya, Zapotec, Totonac, and Teotihuacán

civilizations have unique art, architecture, and cultures many
historians trace all of these cultures back to their shared Olmec
heritage.

• The Olmec diet consisted of foods obtained through fishing and

hunting. Maize and other crops were introduced later to their diet.
 OMLEC CIVILIZATION
Although there are no written records of Olmec commerce, beliefs, or customs,
archaeological evidence suggests they were not economic limit. Yet, Olmec
artifacts have been discovered all over Mesoamerica, indicating that extensive
interregional trade routes existed.

The presence of artifacts:

• made of jade
• semiprecious green stone
• obsidian
• black volcanic rock; and other stones

Indicates trade with peoples outside of Mexico's Gulf Coast: the jade came from
what is now the Mexican state of Oaxaca and the country of Guatemala to the
south; and the obsidian came from the Mexican highlands to the north. The
length of trade routes, the variety of goods, and the sources of traded items all
increased significantly during the Olmec period.
 OMLEC ARTIFACTS
Artifacts that was built by the Olmec
> colossal stone heads > maguey thrones - use for human sacrifice
> stela (upright slabs)
> statues > pyramids
> earthen mounds >various types of ceramics
 EXTINCTION OF OMLEC CIVILIZATION
The Olmec population declined dramatically between 400 and 350 BCE, for
unknown reasons. Archaeologists believe that the population decline was caused
by environmental changes, specifically the topsoil erosion of rivers, which cut off
the water supply.

Another explanation for the significant population drop is that settlements were
relocated due to increased volcanic activity, rather than extinction. Volcanic
eruptions in the Early, Late, and Last Development periods would have covered
the lands in ash, forcing the Olmec to relocate their settlements.
MAYA CIVILIZATION

• Maya early settlement was in 2000 B.C. lived in

settlement in the Southern Mexico and Northern
America.

• The Maya civilization was one of the most

dominant Indigenous societies of Mesoamerica.

• Maya was the centered in one geographical block

covering all of the Yucatan Peninsula and modern-
day Guatemala; Belize and parts of the Mexican
states of Tabasco and Chiapas; and the western
part of Honduras and El Salvador.
 MAYA CIVILIZATION

• By the late 20th century, researchers had

concluded that the lowlands' climate was actually
quite diverse in terms of the environment. The
Maya capitalized on the region's numerous natural
resources, including salt, obsidian (used to make
tools and weapons), limestone (used for
construction), and the volcanic rock obsidian (used
for construction).
 MAYA CITIES

Maya sites have yielded plazas, palaces, temples, and pyramids, as well as courts for the
famous Maya ball game ulama, all of which were ritually and politically significant to
Maya culture. Cities were also surrounded by farmers that supported the large population .
 MAYA ACCESSORIES
Jade, quetzal feathers, and marine shells which were used as trumpets in
ceremonies and warfare were among the Maya's other cherished possessions in
the area. Quetzal feathers were used to embellish the elaborate costumes of the
Maya nobility. Jade use for ornamental stone smaller pieces were also use to make
a weapons and jewelry. Marine shell to make a beads, amulets, gorgets, and
figurines.
 MAYA CIVILIZATION
The Maya are religious and devoted their worship to
a gods that are related to gods of the sun, moon,
rain, and corn.

King of Maya or "kuhul ajaw"

• kuhul ajaw - holy lords
• Who claimed to be related to gods and followed
a hereditary succession.
• They serve as the mediators between to the
gods and people. Additionally they also perform,
elaborate the ceremonies and ritual to the
people
 MAYA CIVILIZATION
Great Artist of Mesoamerica - As the classic Maya built many temple
and palace with a stepped pyramid shape, decorating them with
elaborate reliefs and inscription to this reason Maya earned this
reputation.

The Maya made significant advancements in:

• mathematics
• astronomy

These advancements included the use of the zero and the creation
of intricate calendar systems
• Calendar Round - based on 365 days
• Long Count Calendar - designed to last for more than 5,000 years.
 CODEX OF MAYA CIVILIZATION
Codices - A folded books that is written by Maya civilization only
four codices survive and containce information of astronomy,
astrology, religion, rituals and Gods. It is written in paper made
out of bark from the fig tree.
4 Remaining Codex:
• Dresden Codex
• Paris Codex
• Madrid Codex
• Grolier Codex

Diego De Landa - A Spanish Franciscan Bishop who ordered to

burn the Codices of the Maya people. This event took place in
the mid 16 century
 EXTINCTION OF MAYA CIVILIZATION
2000 A.D.
The early settelement of the Maya civilization in the southern
mexico and central america

250 A.D
The Maya civilization entered to what is known Classical Period
in which their cities with temple, and palaces started to flourish.
In addition their population has reach its peaked.

900 A.D.
UNKNOWN The Southern Lowland Region, Guatemala and neighboring
portion of Mexico, Belize, and Honduras were the major cities
and the Heart of Maya Civilization was abadoned with unknown
cause. It is believed that it happend between late 800 and 950
when the maya people left their places.
 EXTINCTION OF MAYA CIVILIZATION
Scholar suggested the cause are:
• overpapulation
• environmental degradation
• warfare
• shifting trade
• extended drought
In the Northern Lowland Region such as Chichen Itza and later
Mayapan (located in Yucatan, Mexico) is still standing.

Maya also established cities in the highlands region such as

UNKNOWN Q'umarkaj (Guatemala)

Early 1500s
Spanish attack the last independent City of Maya, Nojpeten
(Guatemala) and fell to the Spanish in 1697.
 AZTEC CIVILIZATION
• The word Azteca is derived from Aztlán (variously translated
as “White Land,” “Land of White Herons,” or “Place of
Herons”

• According to legend, the Aztecs migrated from a homeland

called Aztlan to what is now modern-day Mexico. While it is
unknown where Aztlan was, many scholars believe that the
the Aztecs were migrated south to central Mexico in the
13th century.
 AZTEC CIVILIZATION
• In the legend, the Aztec was founded the Tenochtitlan with
the help of their patron god Huitzilopochtli. Huitzilopochtli
told them to establish their settlement where a giant eagle
eating a snake was perched on a cactus. Tenochtitlan was
born in the Mesoamerican region of Anáhuac, on a chain of
five interconnected lakes. Archaeologists believe that
Tenochtitlan was founded in 1325 C.E.

• Huitzilopochtli – Deity of war, sun, human sarcrifice, and

the patron of the City of Tenochtitlan. A Tribal god of the
Aztecs
 AZTEC CIVILIZATION
• Tenochtitlan were one of a number of small city-states in
the region. They were subject to the Tepanec, whose capital
in Azcapotzalco, and had to pay tribute to them. In 1428,
the Aztec allied with two other cities the Texcoco and
Tlacopan. They formed the Aztec Triple Alliance and were
able to win the battle for regional control, collecting tribute
from conquered states.
 AZTEC REVOLUTION IN TECHNOLOGY
Weapon
The Aztecs lacked iron and bronze to make their tools and weapons. As a
result, the ancient Aztecs had to devise a method of producing effective tools
and weapons without the use of these metals. As a result, many Aztec tools
were made from obsidian and chert. Advances in Aztec technology had led to
the experimentation of making tools with copper near the time they were
defeated by Spanish conquistadors. Axe blades, for example, were made from
stone or copper. Aztec technology was so advanced that they created drills out
of reed or bone. The Aztecs also created a wide range of weapons. One
weapon, the atlatl, made spear throwing easier. Furthermore, this weapon was
used to aid in fishing. The Aztecs also used a macuahuitl, a wooden club with
sharp pieces of volcanic glass, or obsidian. This weapon was used to
incapacitate an opponent or enemy without killing him. Furthermore, the
Aztecs would use bows and arrows.
AZTEC TRANSPORTATION
• they developed dugout canoes with which they transported
themselves and their goods with the use of canals, lake,
and waterways through the Valley of Mexico.

AZTEC EDUCATION AND CULTURE

• Aztec education was an important part of their culture to
highly developed scientific thinkers and mathematicians.
The Aztec number system was far more advanced than
other cultures at the time. Furthermore, Aztec science relied
heavily on math, such as the design of their calendar. Aztec
astronomy was also an important part of their calendar that
reflected heavily on their gods. They also further developed
the medicine creating variety of ointments and drinks.
 THE FALL OF AZTEC CIVILIZATION
Hernando Cortés
• Spanish conquistador
• Arrived in the year 1519 to look for gold the Ruler of Aztec,
Motecuhzoma, handed him a gift of gold as a present.
• Upon arriving in Tenochtitlan Cortes took Metocuhzoma as
a prisoner in attempt to rule yet it did not go as planned.
Cortes fled the city in June of 1520
• In middle of May 1521 Spanish attacked the capital of Aztec
and surrendered in August 13, 1521.
• Cortes then know build that is todays name as Mexico City,
the capital of a Spanish colony.