AMIND 440 Week 3 Lecture Notes
*** These notes are provided just in case captioning is needed for our PowerPoint Lecture
or if you ever want to refer back for clarification. ***
Slide 1: Welcome back, everyone! Last week, we learned many important key terms that will come up in our discussions throughout the course, and we also read and discussed the readings challenging/thinking critically about the Bering Strait Theory published in Indian Country Today. This week, we will continue building off our discussions as we learn about early Mesoamerican civilizations and the cultivation/significance of corn.
Slide 2: Here you’ll see a map of major cultural centers of Mesoamerica and South America, all of which had major influences and contributions to many other Native societies throughout the Americas. The four civilizations we’ll be focusing on will be the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca.
Slide 3: According to archaeological records, the first known civilization in Mesoamerica is the Olmec, and the height of the Olmec empire lasted from about 1200 BC to 600 AD. The next oldest Mesoamerican civilization is the Maya, and they built their empire in the present-day Yucatan Peninsula. The height of the Mayan empire was from from 250 AD – 900 AD. The height of the Aztec civilization followed from 1200 AD – 1521 AD, and they built their capital in present-day Mexico City. And the last civilization we’ll be discussing is the Inca, who are from the Andes Mountains in Peru. The height of the Incan empire was from 1438 AD – 1533 AD. However, it’s important to note that although these dates show the height of the empires for the Olmec, Mayan, Aztec, and Incan empires, these dates do not mark the end of these people’s existence. The descendants of these tribes are still very much alive and thriving today, and the contributions from these societies have had important ripple effects in modern times.
Slide 4: First, let’s talk about the Olmec tribe, from the tropical rainforests and lowlands along the gulf coast of modern-day Mexico. The Olmec society was traditionally governed by kings/priests, as indicated by sculptures and temples. The religious centers were distinguished by pyramid-shaped temples and gigantic stone heads (and when I say gigantic, I’m talking up to 10 tons and 11 feet tall!) The Olmecs developed many important contributions including forms of writing and a formal calendar system. Their society later influenced both the Mayan and the Aztec empires. The Olmec were able to spread their culture and influence other societies throughout the Valley of Mexico and Central America through their intricate trade networks.
Slide 5: On the left is an example of a gigantic, carved stone head from an Olmec religious center, and on the right is a map of the Olmec heartland.
Slide 6: The next civilization to emerge was the Maya in modern-day southern Mexico and Central America (Belize, Guatemala, and El Salvador.) Their centralized location was highly beneficial at the height of their empire because it allowed them to trade and interact with cultures to both the north and south. They traded and interacted by building large, complex road systems which connected to neighboring cities and communities. Traditionally, the Mayans grew corn (they actually have been called “The Great Cultivators of Corn”), and they also grew beans and squash. The Maya civilization is well-known for their creation of the 365 day calendar, which was created by analyzing the stars. They used math and created the concept of zero, and they also developed glyph writing.
Slide 7: Not only are the Mayans known for being the “Great Cultivators of Corn,” but they are also known for their creation of the “Rubber Ball Game.” Click on the hyperlink on this slide to learn more about the game. (You can access the hyperlink by either clicking on the link while in Full Screen Mode, or you can right-click on the link and then select “Open Hyperlink.”)
Slide 8: Now we’re going to discuss the Aztec civilization, which was located in the valley of Mexico in modern-day Mexico City, and the Aztec capital city was Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs, sometimes also referred to as the Toltec Empire, was known for the strong military power used to build a vast empire. In Aztec society, the priests were highly respected and the most important god was the Sun-God. The Aztecs also developed a calendar and established schools. Their doctors learned to set bones, dentists treated cavities, and engineers designed intricate bridge systems.
Slide 9: Here’s an image of the capital of the Aztec Empire, Tenochtitlan. Approximately 300,000 people lived in the capital, and around 30 million lived in the entire Aztec Empire. As you can see here, Tenochtitlan was an island capital with impressive bridge systems connecting it to neighboring communities.
Slide 10: The last civilization we’ll be discussing this week is the Inca Empire, which Is located in the Andes Mountains in modern-day Peru. The Inca Empire was governed by an emperor who exercised absolute power over the government and society. Traditionally the Inca empire grew corn and potatoes, but the empire is most well known for their intricate terraces cut into steep mountainsides in order to farm said crops, their elaborate aqueduct systems used for crop irrigation, and their complex highway system. The Inca Empire built over 14,000 miles of roads, many of which are still used in Peru today.
Slide 11: Here is an image showing an impressive Incan road carved into the side of the Andes Mountains.
Slide 12: The Mesoamerican Empires had great influence on each other and many other communities through vast roads and trade networks. So it may be no surprise that this radius of influence did not stop in Central America. In present-day Arizona, evidence from archaeological and oral histories has shown that communities were practicing agriculture as early as 2100 BC, and the earliest evidence of corn in the area dates from 2000 BC. Corn was likely introduced in the area by migration or trade between the North and the South. As you may have already noticed, the dates here conflict with the dates mentioned in earlier slides describing the height of the Mesoamerican tribes. Begin considering how this might have some similarities to the Bering Strait Theory and/or “Firsting and Lasting” from last week to discuss in this week’s blog posts.
Slide 13: Here is an image depicting the possible spread/trade of corn and agricultural practices in the Americas.
Slide 14: Lastly, it’s important to note that corn was not only important for sustenance and development of societies, but corn also holds cultural and spiritual significance for many tribes. For example, the Cherokee celebrate the Green Corn Dance and Ceremony to symbolize regeneration, rebirth, and appreciation for the Corn Mother. You will be able to see some different examples of corn’s significance in Winona LaDuke’s TED TALK in this week’s Module 3 Folder. As you watch, please consider what examples of spiritual, cultural, and even present-day connections you see, and be ready to discuss your findings in this week’s discussion blog posts. Have a wonderful week!