Final (6) Flashcards
What is mesoamerica?
Referring to the region including central and southern mexico, guatemala, belize, el salvador and honduras and nicaragua. This region shares a number of distinct cultural characteristics. ** don’t memorize this, just generally know.
What are the olmec regal-ritual centres of mesoamerica? (olmec civilization)
San lorenzo (mexico) 3150 - 2900 ya. La Venta (mexico) 2800 - 2400 ya.
Why do we see signs of civilization developing around major river systems?
Rivers allow for trade, water sources and flooding gives the surrounding soils nutrients.
What are monumental olmec heads? (colossal heads)
Large stones (10 ft tall) that are carvings of human heads.
What are the maya?
A mesoamerican civilization centered in guatemala, belize, honduras, eastern mexico and the yucatan peninsula.
When did they maya exist?
2650 years ago. Their culture dominated for about 1500 years.
What is the site of Tikal, Guatemala?
An important Maya city that flourished 200-900 AD. Includes the temple of the great jaguar.
What is Palenque?
A maya capital city 431-800 AD. Here you find “Pakal” (name of ruler) The Temple of Inscriptions where he is buried. He was buried in a sarcophagus and with a jade burial mask.
What was chichen itza?
A site occupied by 1000 years. Included the Temple of 1000 warriors, the observatory,
How long did they play the ball games in mesoamerica?
About 3000 years.
What are the characteristics of ancient civilizations?
Good question for the final. – textbook
What did the maya calendar consist of?
Twenty named days organized into eighteen “months” with an additional short “month” of five days to complete the 365 day cycle of one solar year.
What is the earliest city-state to dominate the valley of mexico?
Teotihuacan. 2200 - 1500 ya.
How many people were living in Teotihuacan?
About 100, 000. One of the largest cities in the world at this time.
Why do they think that teotihuacan was located where it was?
Due to the high amounts of black obsidian and river systems.
Why do we think that teotihuacan was abandoned?
High rate of infant mortality, evidence of malnutirion. Could have happened from drought and environmental conditions.
What is an empire?
A political entity to bring together a diverse society under one leader.
Describe Tenochtitlan?
Built on the now- mexico city. It was initially built up on lake tezcoco that had areas connected to the mainland. Centre of the city had ball courts, gardens, public spaces. Canals ran through the city to provide drinking water.
What are chinampas?
Raised agricultural beds built in lakes and swamps (like small artificial islands). Excellent for growing crops like beans and squash.
What is one of the most well known aztec temples?
Templo Mayor. Built in the centre of tenochitlan. Twin pyramids. Demonstrates the role of human sacrifice. Estimated 20, 000 sacrifices per year. Was destroyed the site in the 1500’s by the spanish.
Who was hernando cortes?
First to come in contact with the aztecs. Arrived with guns. Destroyed the city within two years and the population left was put in to slavery.
Who was montezuma II?
Last ruler of tenochtitlan who was a tyrant when cortes took over.
What else contributed to the destruction of Tenochititlan?
Small pox. By 1680, the aztec population had been reduced from 1.2 million to 70, 000. (Disease, warfare, famine).
