Role Of Agriculture In Mesoamerica
Michaela Westington
Mr. Duer
AP World History, Period 7
9 September 2015
Chapter 6 Summary Early societies of Mesoamerica
The Olmecs
Early Agriculture in Mesoamerica
Mesoamerican people began to cultivate manioc, beans, chili peppers, avocados, and gourds. By 4000 B.C.E., maize had become the major staple crop of the region. Tomatoes were later added as a crop that they cultivated.
By 3000 B.C.E., agricultural villages started to appear and by 2000 B.C.E. agriculture spread amongst Mesoamerica.
Although Mesoamericans had animals, they did not have cattle, sheep, goats, or pigs, meaning that there was very little protein available to them. They were unable to harness energy of prominent animals of the eastern hemisphere, which included horses …show more content…
Most of their influence was spread by the military.
Olmecs produced numerous objects made of jade which they imported. Since there was a lack of metal technology, they also created objects out of obsidian, some which included knives and axes.
Obsidian came from the Gulf Coast, much like jade did. They were imported, and in exchange the Olmecs traded animal skins, ceramics, basalt, and small works of art that were made of jade.
The Olmecs destroyed their ceremonial centers in San Lorenzo and La Venta and then deserted both sites.
Many scholars believe that the Olmecs destroyed their capitals on purpose, and they think it might have something to do with civil conflicts or doubts about the effectiveness of the ruling class.
By 400 B.C.E., Olmec society had fallen and other Mesoamerican societies eclipsed it all together.
Ritualistic human sacrifice and their ball game were later adopted by later Mesoamerican societies. They also made a calendar and a system of writing.
Heirs of the Olmecs: The …show more content…
The population grew rapidly and ceremonial centers had evolved into genuine cities that attracted large populations of residents, had large markets, embarked on programs of construction, and supported increasing specialization of labor. Long distance trade routes extended their influence across Mesoamerica.
The Maya
Earliest heirs of the Olmec, the Maya created remarkable societies in the now regions of Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and southern Mexico.
Permanent villages started to appear in the third century B.C.E., the most prominent of them being
Mr. Duer
AP World History, Period 7
9 September 2015
Chapter 6 Summary Early societies of Mesoamerica
The Olmecs
Early Agriculture in Mesoamerica
Mesoamerican people began to cultivate manioc, beans, chili peppers, avocados, and gourds. By 4000 B.C.E., maize had become the major staple crop of the region. Tomatoes were later added as a crop that they cultivated.
By 3000 B.C.E., agricultural villages started to appear and by 2000 B.C.E. agriculture spread amongst Mesoamerica.
Although Mesoamericans had animals, they did not have cattle, sheep, goats, or pigs, meaning that there was very little protein available to them. They were unable to harness energy of prominent animals of the eastern hemisphere, which included horses …show more content…
Most of their influence was spread by the military.
Olmecs produced numerous objects made of jade which they imported. Since there was a lack of metal technology, they also created objects out of obsidian, some which included knives and axes.
Obsidian came from the Gulf Coast, much like jade did. They were imported, and in exchange the Olmecs traded animal skins, ceramics, basalt, and small works of art that were made of jade.
The Olmecs destroyed their ceremonial centers in San Lorenzo and La Venta and then deserted both sites.
Many scholars believe that the Olmecs destroyed their capitals on purpose, and they think it might have something to do with civil conflicts or doubts about the effectiveness of the ruling class.
By 400 B.C.E., Olmec society had fallen and other Mesoamerican societies eclipsed it all together.
Ritualistic human sacrifice and their ball game were later adopted by later Mesoamerican societies. They also made a calendar and a system of writing.
Heirs of the Olmecs: The …show more content…
The population grew rapidly and ceremonial centers had evolved into genuine cities that attracted large populations of residents, had large markets, embarked on programs of construction, and supported increasing specialization of labor. Long distance trade routes extended their influence across Mesoamerica.
The Maya
Earliest heirs of the Olmec, the Maya created remarkable societies in the now regions of Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and southern Mexico.
Permanent villages started to appear in the third century B.C.E., the most prominent of them being