7.1 Early Mesoamerican Civilizations

Question 1

What was the geographic setting/enviornment of the Olmec Civilization?

Answer 1

-good soil near rivers,
-jungles of Southern Mexico
-hot and humid
-salt, tar, clay
-swamps
-rain forrest

Question 2

Describe the Urban Sites/design of the city of the Olmec Civilization

Answer 2

courtyards, pyramids, large stone monuments,

-collumns, altars, river banks

Question 3

The City of San Lorenzo had

Answer 3

mounds and pyramids

Question 4

Town of La Venta had:

Answer 4

huge mound, tomb and religious ceremony place

Question 5

Describe the Economy/trade in the Olmec Civilization

Answer 5

raw materials like IRON ORE, various stones

Olmec goods were exported by the olmecs

Question 6

What were the Achievements from the Olmec Civilization?

Answer 6

-extrodinary stone sculpture
-small statues of Jaguar God

Question 7

Describe the Religion/Art of the Olmec Civilization?

Answer 7

they believed in the “JAGUAR SPIRIT” which was a powerful rain God

-100ft high mound of earth and clay was the center of Olmec Religion.

and they prayed to many nature gods.

Question 8

Describe the enviornment of the Zapotec Civilization

Answer 8

southwest, mexican state of Oaxaca

mountains and valleys

fertile soil, a mild climate

Question 9

Describe the Urban Sites of the Zapotec Civilization:

Answer 9

-scattered villages
-stone platforms
-temples
-plaza
-monumental statues
-pyramids
-palaces

Question 10

Describe the economy/trade of the Zapotec Civilization:(what did they sell??)

Answer 10

gold, pears, shells, corn, fish, beans, farming, craft production, trade

Question 11

What were the Achievements of the Zapotec Civilization??

Answer 11

built the 1st real urban center in the americas, MONTE ALBAN

-Calander for observing the stars

Question 12

Describe the religion/art of the Zapotec Civilization:

Answer 12

calander system and a star calander system