MesoAmerica

MesoAmerican Civilization: - 200 - 900 AD (remarkable societies) - Areas such as Mexico and Guatemala

Olmec:
 * Set classes and hierarchy
 * Religious Priests and Elites controlled
 * In 100 AD to 750 AD - Teotihuacan (30 miles from Mexico city) had over 125,000 inhabitants - assimilated with cultures
 * Religion was very important: Polytheistic with violent Gods (Like Mesopotamia)
 * Were in to human sacrifice
 * Speculated Violent last decades

Maya:
 * Started developing during when Teo. was developing
 * In Guatemala - different kingdoms
 * Very extensive with Agriculture
 * Very High Populations
 * Liked Astrology and Mathematics
 * Rulers were religious leaders and politicians
 * Warfare and religion was connected
 * Created Calendars and used Hieroglyphs
 * 800 to 900 AD - Mayans left their cities - some evidence of violence

Important Terms:

Chinampas - (Floating Gardens) Were used to grow things in the cities

Quetzalcoatl - Their main feathered Serpent God

Milpa Cycle - - This utilizes all the ground, and is good for the soil
 * 1) Burn down forest (For Nutrients)
 * 2) Plant corn and then beans (to climb the corn stalks) *Sometimes squash as wells
 * 3) Let the forest regrow, and start the cycle again