Mesoamerican ArchaeologyMesoamerican Archaeology

OlmecOlmecMayaMaya

TeotihuacanTeotihuacanToltecToltecAztecAztec

OlmecOlmec

1939 Matthew Stirling was sent by the 1939 Matthew Stirling was sent by the Smithsonian and National Geographic to Smithsonian and National Geographic to investigate giant stone carvings. investigate giant stone carvings.

Olmec means “dweller in the land of Olmec means “dweller in the land of rubber”, refers to people who lived along rubber”, refers to people who lived along Gulf of Mexico, southern Veracruz, and Gulf of Mexico, southern Veracruz, and western Tabasco.western Tabasco.

Olmec lived in this area between 1500 Olmec lived in this area between 1500 B.C. and 100 A.D.B.C. and 100 A.D.

Olmec AreaOlmec Area

Characteristic TraitsCharacteristic Traits

Building of clay pyramids and temple moundsBuilding of clay pyramids and temple mounds Particular sculptural styleParticular sculptural style

weeping or snarling jaguar/human infantweeping or snarling jaguar/human infant were-jaguarwere-jaguar colossal headscolossal heads basalt monumentsbasalt monuments Fine jade carvingFine jade carving

Basic Mesoamerican civilizationBasic Mesoamerican civilization Artifacts with Olmec traits found in preclassic horizons Artifacts with Olmec traits found in preclassic horizons

throughout Mesoamerica.throughout Mesoamerica. ““Cult of the Jaguar” considered a basic Olmec trait.Cult of the Jaguar” considered a basic Olmec trait.

Were-JaguarWere-Jaguar

Colossal HeadsColossal Heads

Important sitesImportant sites Tres ZapotesTres Zapotes Cerro de las MesasCerro de las Mesas San Lorenzo, VeracruzSan Lorenzo, Veracruz

Oldest Olmec siteOldest Olmec site Occupied by 1500 B.C.Occupied by 1500 B.C. Pottery found from earliest periodPottery found from earliest period

La Venta, TabascoLa Venta, Tabasco Contemporaneous to later phases of San LorenzoContemporaneous to later phases of San Lorenzo Oriented on a n-s axis on an island in the Rio TonalaOriented on a n-s axis on an island in the Rio Tonala Includes mounds, plazas, tombs, basalt slab enclosures, and Includes mounds, plazas, tombs, basalt slab enclosures, and

pyramid.pyramid. Buried stone offeringsBuried stone offerings jade and serpentine celtsjade and serpentine celts

Basalt Altars-La VentaBasalt Altars-La Venta

Maya Maya

Slow, gradual change.Slow, gradual change.Did not develop overnight.Did not develop overnight.Due to several factors resource concentration, Due to several factors resource concentration,

population growth, beginnings of cultural population growth, beginnings of cultural variability, development of ideologies, variability, development of ideologies, migration of ideas from other culturesmigration of ideas from other cultures

Small Kingdoms, No centralized state.Small Kingdoms, No centralized state.succession of regional centerssuccession of regional centersnot really dominant over neighborsnot really dominant over neighbors

RegionsRegions Pacific Coastal PlainPacific Coastal Plain

Izapa-elaborate stone carvingsIzapa-elaborate stone carvings Monte Alto-collosal heads (contact with Olmec), also pot belly Monte Alto-collosal heads (contact with Olmec), also pot belly

boulders.boulders. Southeast PeripherySoutheast Periphery

Copan-evidence of interaction with western areas of MesoAm Copan-evidence of interaction with western areas of MesoAm during the preclassic (700-500 B.C.).during the preclassic (700-500 B.C.).

Southeastern HighlandsSoutheastern Highlands Chalcuapa-one of the important highland centers,important for Chalcuapa-one of the important highland centers,important for

trade in pottery.trade in pottery. Tikal investigations in the 1950s, national park around the site, Tikal investigations in the 1950s, national park around the site,

300 B.C. to 300 A.D. developed into a huge city.300 B.C. to 300 A.D. developed into a huge city. Uaxactun basic chronological sequence of pottery for area.Uaxactun basic chronological sequence of pottery for area.

Yucatan Peninsula and BelizeYucatan Peninsula and Belize Cerros-exploited marine resources, adopted kingship by 50B.C. Cerros-exploited marine resources, adopted kingship by 50B.C.

Mayan Mayan RegionsRegions

PalenquePalenque

UaxactunUaxactun

UxmalUxmal

TikalTikal

Mayan WritingMayan Writing

Maya codicesMaya codices most elaborate of writing medium, must have existed most elaborate of writing medium, must have existed

in the thousands, but only a few left.in the thousands, but only a few left. made out of bark paper, or deer skin.made out of bark paper, or deer skin. prepared from the inner bark of trees, fibers soaked in prepared from the inner bark of trees, fibers soaked in

lime and then beaten smooth.lime and then beaten smooth. once dry it was white-washed with a thin coat of once dry it was white-washed with a thin coat of

limestoneor gypsum paste.limestoneor gypsum paste. StelaeStelae

Stone carvingsStone carvings Most common todayMost common today

Mayan Mayan HieroglyphsHieroglyphs

Calendar SystemCalendar System Calender RoundCalender Round

basic unit was a day, not broken down further.basic unit was a day, not broken down further. two recurring cycles of time 260-day and 365-day ran two recurring cycles of time 260-day and 365-day ran

simultaneously making up a period of 52 years.simultaneously making up a period of 52 years. 260-day cycle (Maya:Tzokin, Aztec:Tonalpohualli)260-day cycle (Maya:Tzokin, Aztec:Tonalpohualli)

primarily religious and divinatoryprimarily religious and divinatory guidance of daily affairsguidance of daily affairs 20 named days, combined with numbers 1-13, in which the exact 20 named days, combined with numbers 1-13, in which the exact

combination of name and number would recur every 260 days.combination of name and number would recur every 260 days. not based on natural phenomenon.not based on natural phenomenon.

365-day cycle (Maya:Haab, Aztec:Xihuitl)365-day cycle (Maya:Haab, Aztec:Xihuitl) 18 named months of 20 days each, plus 5 additional days of 18 named months of 20 days each, plus 5 additional days of

apprehension and bad luck at the end of the year.apprehension and bad luck at the end of the year. Days numbered from 0-19, and to return to any given date, 52 Days numbered from 0-19, and to return to any given date, 52

years would have to pass.years would have to pass. Prophesy that “this world” will end in 2012.Prophesy that “this world” will end in 2012.

Converting the Mayan CalendarConverting the Mayan Calendar

http://www.pauahtun.org/cgi-bin/mayagreg.pyhttp://www.pauahtun.org/cgi-bin/mayagreg.py

Agriculture PatternsAgriculture Patterns

Localized intensive agricultureLocalized intensive agriculture gardening took place in zones of good moisture.gardening took place in zones of good moisture.

Expansive Cultivation (900 B.C.)Expansive Cultivation (900 B.C.) shifting cultivationshifting cultivation corn farming with swidden or slash/burn, family of five corn farming with swidden or slash/burn, family of five

needs 3,000 pounds of corn per year.needs 3,000 pounds of corn per year. Wetland cultivation (Extensive-Intensive)Wetland cultivation (Extensive-Intensive)

being increasingly pressed by population.being increasingly pressed by population. Chinampas-swamps were being drained and drainage Chinampas-swamps were being drained and drainage

canals built., located with radar imagery.canals built., located with radar imagery. the largest cities are located on the edges of these the largest cities are located on the edges of these

swamps.swamps.

Floating GardensFloating Gardens

Settlement Patterns and Population SizesSettlement Patterns and Population Sizes

No direct evidence for census material, so use No direct evidence for census material, so use indirect means.indirect means. Counting house moundsCounting house mounds Volumetric assessments of the masses of formal Volumetric assessments of the masses of formal

architecture in the civic centers.architecture in the civic centers.

House StructuresHouse Structures small platforms of clay, earth and stone.small platforms of clay, earth and stone. Thatched roofs, wattle and daub.Thatched roofs, wattle and daub. Lowlands areas seem that peak population was Late Lowlands areas seem that peak population was Late

Classic (A.D. 1000)Classic (A.D. 1000)

The Mesoamerican BallgameThe Mesoamerican Ballgame Called tlachtli by the Aztecs, game played with Called tlachtli by the Aztecs, game played with

hard rubber ball.hard rubber ball. Spanish document stone rings as goals, but Spanish document stone rings as goals, but

those dating before 700 A.D. do not have them.those dating before 700 A.D. do not have them. Typically i-shaped courts, balls weighing up to 5 Typically i-shaped courts, balls weighing up to 5

pounds.pounds. ball had to be kept in motionball had to be kept in motion could not be hit with hands or feetcould not be hit with hands or feet associated with fertility, death, militarism and associated with fertility, death, militarism and

sacrifice.sacrifice. sacrifice of defeated team members docmented in sacrifice of defeated team members docmented in

late accounts.late accounts.

BallcourtBallcourt

Watch a BallgameWatch a Ballgame

http://http://www.ballgame.org/sub_section.asp?sectiowww.ballgame.org/sub_section.asp?sectionn=3&sub_section=1=3&sub_section=1

Basin of Mexico-TeotihuacanBasin of Mexico-Teotihuacan TeotihuacanTeotihuacan

Investigated archaeologically first in 1800s, but disastrous results-Investigated archaeologically first in 1800s, but disastrous results-desturction of monuments.desturction of monuments.

In 1960s began the Teotihuacan Project.In 1960s began the Teotihuacan Project. explore and reconstruct ceremonial centers.explore and reconstruct ceremonial centers. also Basin of Mexico survey project.also Basin of Mexico survey project.

Founding of the CityFounding of the City Valley settled as early as 900 B.C., but no large settlement until 300 Valley settled as early as 900 B.C., but no large settlement until 300

B.C.B.C. Populated by people from mountains to the east (Tlaxcala).Populated by people from mountains to the east (Tlaxcala).

Several reasons for population move:Several reasons for population move: caves which are related to religion and mythology.caves which are related to religion and mythology. humans, sun and moon came from center of the earth.humans, sun and moon came from center of the earth.

entrance to the Underworld.entrance to the Underworld. network of caves and tunnels under the network of caves and tunnels under the

Pyramids of the sun and the moon.Pyramids of the sun and the moon. close obsidian resources.close obsidian resources. nearby springs for irrigation.nearby springs for irrigation.

TeotihuacanTeotihuacan Size and ConstructionSize and Construction At its height, around 125,000 people and At its height, around 125,000 people and

covering 22 sq kilometers.covering 22 sq kilometers. More ceremonial centers than any other More ceremonial centers than any other

prehispanic site.prehispanic site. Planned and laid out along a rectilinear network Planned and laid out along a rectilinear network

of roads and paths.of roads and paths. Avenue of the Dead-major north to south axis.Avenue of the Dead-major north to south axis. East and West Avenues divided the city into East and West Avenues divided the city into

quadrants.quadrants. The “citadel” was at their center.The “citadel” was at their center. In front of this was the great compound.In front of this was the great compound.

Temples and PyramidsTemples and Pyramids Constructed with Talud-tablero architectureConstructed with Talud-tablero architecture

cut stone facingcut stone facing Framed panels (tablero)Framed panels (tablero) sloping basal elements (talud)sloping basal elements (talud)

5000 known structures.5000 known structures. Pyramid of the SunPyramid of the Sun

212 ft high, 700 ft wide, 35,000,000 cu ft of fill 212 ft high, 700 ft wide, 35,000,000 cu ft of fill (equivalent to 10 modern oil tankers). (equivalent to 10 modern oil tankers).

cave located underneath with sacred objects in it.cave located underneath with sacred objects in it. Pyramid of the MoonPyramid of the Moon

located at the north end of the avenue of the dead.located at the north end of the avenue of the dead. Temple of the Feathered Serpent (at the Citadel)Temple of the Feathered Serpent (at the Citadel) Residential structuresResidential structures

apartment compoundsapartment compounds

Pyramid of the SunPyramid of the Sun

Temple of QuetzalcoatlTemple of Quetzalcoatl

Avenue of the DeadAvenue of the Dead

Decline of TeotihuacanDecline of Teotihuacan

During the period from 600-900 A.D.During the period from 600-900 A.D.Site not abandoned, but population Site not abandoned, but population

decreased.decreased.Some buildings burned between 600-700 Some buildings burned between 600-700

A.D.A.D.may be symbolic as in the case of the Olmec may be symbolic as in the case of the Olmec

destroying heads, associated with the loss of destroying heads, associated with the loss of power.power.

Tula and the ToltecsTula and the Toltecs

A.D. 900-1200A.D. 900-1200 Development of city north of Teotihuacan after Development of city north of Teotihuacan after

its collapse in 900 A.D.its collapse in 900 A.D. located on the Tula river and near the Lerma located on the Tula river and near the Lerma

rivers for easy communication with others.rivers for easy communication with others. this new capital was closer to the northern limits this new capital was closer to the northern limits

of agriculture.of agriculture. Toltec history embellished by Aztecs, Spaniards Toltec history embellished by Aztecs, Spaniards

and others after their collapse in 1200 A.D.and others after their collapse in 1200 A.D.

Tula GrandeTula Grande

Was occupied during the prime phase of Was occupied during the prime phase of Tula 950-1150 A.D.Tula 950-1150 A.D.

13 km in area, with a population of 30-13 km in area, with a population of 30-60,000 residents.60,000 residents.

craftspeople, tradespeople, religious craftspeople, tradespeople, religious leaders, but not farmers.leaders, but not farmers.

workshops included manos and metates workshops included manos and metates makers. toolmakers.makers. toolmakers.

city laid out on n-s axis.city laid out on n-s axis.

TulaTula

AtlantidsAtlantids

Rise of the AztecRise of the Aztec

From A.D. 1200 to A.D. 1370 the Basin of From A.D. 1200 to A.D. 1370 the Basin of Mexico was occupied by various central Mexican Mexico was occupied by various central Mexican peoples.peoples.

Chichimec people settled in the area from the Chichimec people settled in the area from the North and gradually overcame the people living North and gradually overcame the people living there at that time.there at that time.

primarily due to Xolotl, who ruled a somewhat primarily due to Xolotl, who ruled a somewhat barbaric horde.barbaric horde.

Technically squatted in the area of Tenochtitlan Technically squatted in the area of Tenochtitlan and were know as the Mixeca but today Aztecs and were know as the Mixeca but today Aztecs is more common.is more common.

Basin of MexicoBasin of Mexico

TenochtitlanTenochtitlan

Tenochtitlan Reconstruction

Moctezuma II

Human Sacrifice

Skull Rack

Spanish Arrival: CortesSpanish Arrival: Cortes

Spanish arrive in A.D. 1519 at Vera Cruz.Spanish arrive in A.D. 1519 at Vera Cruz.March inland to TenochtitlanMarch inland to TenochtitlanReceived by Moctezuma II, who was then Received by Moctezuma II, who was then

held captive by Cortes and his men.held captive by Cortes and his men.Moctezuma II dies, replaced by nephew Moctezuma II dies, replaced by nephew

(dies almost immediately from small pox), (dies almost immediately from small pox), replaced by another nephew: Cuahtemoc.replaced by another nephew: Cuahtemoc.

Mexico RevoltsMexico Revolts

The siege began on May 21, 1521 and The siege began on May 21, 1521 and lasted for 85 days.lasted for 85 days.

Finally ended when the Spanish captured Finally ended when the Spanish captured the northeast section of the city and the northeast section of the city and eventually conquered the remaining Aztecs.eventually conquered the remaining Aztecs.

Cuauhtemoc sets our from the city and Cuauhtemoc sets our from the city and surrenders to Cortes sometime around surrenders to Cortes sometime around August 14, 1521.August 14, 1521.