Ancient Civilizations

The Olmec & The Maya

The Olmec

What’s Different?

Olmec Mayan

Physical Environment

• Oldest city—San Lorenzo

• Present day Mexico• Located near a river

Architecture

• Pyramid like Buildings • First to build 2 story

houses• Made houses out of

clay• Cities were centered

around a grand ceremonial mound

Language

• Mixe–Zoquean (spoken)• May have been first to

develop writing system• Used symbols

Scientific Knowledge

• Writing system• Long count calendar

system• Concept of Zero• Ballgame

Leisure Activities

• “Mesoamerican Ballgame”

Religious Activities

• Religious activities were performed by Shamans

• Beliefs centered upon a jaguar God

• Bloodletting ceremonies

Governing Structure

• Hierchial• Rulers

Economic Activities

• Trade Systems

The Mayan

Physical Environment

• Present day southern Mexico, Guatemala, northern Belize

Architecture

• Stepped pyramids• Plazas• Acropolis• Ball sites• Cave sites• Observatories

Language

• Fully Developed written system

Scientific Knowledge

• Writing• Hieroglyphs• Counting system• Mathematical

Leisure Activities

• Art• Ballgames• Music

Religious Beliefs

• Rituals• Ceremonies• Human sacrifice• Maize God• Based on celestial cycles

Governing Structure

• Polity—headed by a hereditary ruler

Economic Activity

• Trade system

The Mound builders

Adena, Hopewell, Mississippian

Physical Environment

• From Great Lakes to Gulf of Mexico & the Mississippi to the Appalachian Mountains

Architecture

• Built Mounds for religious, ceremonial & burial purposes

• Flat-topped pyramids

Language

• Petroglyphs• No writing system

Scientific Knowledge

• Cultivation of corns, beans & squash

• Made tools & weapons

Leisure Activities

• Pottery• Wove baskets• Carved canoes• Sewing

Religious Beliefs

• Animal spirits• Weather spirits• Ancestor Spirits

Governing Structure

• Elite class-ruling class• Common class-Food

producers/labor force

Economic Activity

• Trade