HIS 101H 1nd Edition Lecture13Outline of Last Lecture I. Roman culture and agricultureOutline of Current Lecture II. MayansIII. American societies IV. Intro to spread od civilizations and movements of peopleCurrent LectureI. The Civilizations of Ancient AmericaA. Development in isolation• Americas first settled ca. 20,000-8000 BC• Large game mammals quickly disappear• Different plant & animal resources (Diamond’s argument)• Shows that advanced civilizations can arise even without writing & metal tools & weaponsB. Origins of Americans • Some have Mongoloid features; others look like Ainu of N. Japan & Russia• All South American Indians Type O blood & most Asians type B, so migrations may have been earlier than creation of modern genetic pops• DNA similarities suggest common origin for most Americans in any caseC. Outside contracts• Possible, but never proven (calendars, writing, ship’s anchors, pottery etc.)• Evidence for isolated development greater• Native Americans lacked draft animals, wheels, plows etc.• Arguments of Menzies etc.D. Literature• Revolution not as drastic in Americas• Main crops were maize, manioc (cassava root), and potatoes• Also grew peppers, squash, beans, & tomatoes• Crops varied according to climate, elevation• Many questions remain about direction & dispersal of crops & technologiesThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.E. Comparisons• Differentiated by degree of sedentary agriculture & level of urbanization• Strong states & empires emerged at times, usually out of chiefdoms• But some societies remained very small & simple even into 15th cent. & beyond• Evidence is scant because of lack of perm. structures & material goodsF. The Olmecs• Emerged rather suddenly in SE Mexico• Had urban centers, monumental architecture, irrigation, calendar, and writing system• Some images appear African, but contacts unclear• Major cities abandoned or destroyed, but not sure why G. Zapotecs• Succeeded Olmecs in central Mexico• Created generalized culture center at Oaxaca• Borrowed artistic & architectural styles • But much is conjecture due to lack of written recordsJ. Teotihucan• Dominated by temple pyramids, city’s population may have exceeded 200,000• Lots of social stratification & occupational specialization• Later buildings more secular, perhaps suggesting decline in religious influence• City abandoned in 8th century, possibly invadedK. Religion• Theocracy with priests & kings at top of hierarchy• Polytheistic with many dark gods which were still worshipped in Aztec times• Almost all art was religiousL. Mayans• Most complex ancient Meso-American society• Sophisticated writing, math (based on system of 20), religious and political systems• As many as 50 city-states in Mayan Empire• Large populations supported by irrigation, terracingM. Mayan cities• Social stratification• Some think only elites lived in city proper• Most cities had pyramids surmounted by temples, along with elite residences, ritual ball courts, (b’ate) and many altars & memorial pillars• Deities included Kulkukan, the Feathered Serpent N. Mayan society• Complex, dualistic religious system• Constantly warring city-states• Rulers exercised civil & religious authority• Had rituals of self-mutilation & human sacrifice• Played ritual ball games that could lead to death for the losersO. Writing system• Writing on stone monuments, temples, ceramics, books of folded bark paper & deer skins• Complex phonetic system combines symbols, emblems, phonetics, & ideas like Chinese• 287 symbols• Those deciphered seem to concern political/military affairs & record accession dates of kingsP. Andean societies • Organized around ayllus (clans) which had common mythic ancestors• Curacas were clan leaders• Huacas were animistic spirits• Also communicated to ancestors through their mummies• Practiced ritual skull mutilation/deformationQ. New horizons• Nazca—mummies, weaving, Nazca lines• Mochica—realistic pottery art, very warlike (ca. 200-700)• Tihuanaco (300-900)—Had large urban center (40,000+) with elaborate canal system (see picture)• Spoke Aymara which is still spoken in Andes today• Chimu emerged around 800, but conquered by IncasR. Africa• Geographically & climatologically imposing• Desertification of Sahara• Sahel=fringe of Sahara, region of semi-arid grasslands• This area, known as the Sudan, became cultural center after 300 BC• Extensive contacts w/MediterraneanS. Restrictions on transmission of ideas• Based on climate; some areas not suitable for certain crops or animals• Tsetse fly (trypanosomiasis/sleeping sickness)• Camels in desert• Transhumant=seasonally