Meso America
Central MexicoFirst people went there from Alaska from Bering StraitMissed out on DiseaseDomesticated Maize (corn)Domesticated Tomato and PotatoCeremonial Centers
Olmecs
Lived in what is now Mexico (gulf)Ceremonial Center-La VentaPractice Terrace Agriculure (dig terrace b/c rely on rains for water...no river)MaizeCrafted Heads made out of Besalt RockCarved JadeWriting system that we can't break-glyphs
Mayans
Southern Mexico1. Writing2. Calendar3. Ceremonial CentersPolytheistic-gods for weather, cropsCreation Legend: Popol Vu (oral tradition)Chillam Balam-sayings of sooth sayersWriting System-glyphsHuman SacrificesSlaveryCaptives sacrificed to gods (Cenotes)Rituals-ball court, you lose you die
Mayan Calendar
2 parts365 days, 260 ritualsoutside is solar51 year cycles
Mayan Society
Stratified Society (born into)Warriors-elitistMerchants-elitistCurrency-cocoa beans
Teotihuacan
Major ceremonial centerPyramid of the sunPriesthood
South America
Upland and Lowland CultureAndes mountains and low valleysMaize, Potato, TomatoDomesticated Alpaca (like llama)Parasites killed them-eating raw fish