Unit 5 The Americas The Olmecs Bering Strait

Unit 5: The Americas The Olmecs

Bering Strait • About 30, 000 years ago, nomads reached North America from Asia. • They were able to pass because the Bering Strait was covered with ice, creating a land bridge. • Around 10, 000 B. C. the bridge melted

The Growth of America • These people spread all through North, Central, and South America. • They began farming for food and cultivated corn, beans, sweet potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and squash. • They also began domesticating animals.

Mesoamerica

Olmecs • The earliest Mesoamerican civilization appeared in forest along the Mexican coast. It lasted from 1200 B. C. to about 400 B. C. • They seemed to be highly developed and well organized. • Based on farming and trade

Olmecs • The Olmecs developed a complex calendar and hieroglyphic writing system, and had unique art creations. • The Olmec cities were constructed around a central raised mound, which was used for religious ceremonies. • Around 900 B. C. , these raised mounds were replaced with pyramidshaped structures.

Hierarchical Society • A hierarchical society is seen by the separation of the elite and common groups in the residential housing. • The houses were made of wooden walls with clay and palm roof tops.

Crops • Crop production was made possible by an irrigation system that was built through the city- grew beans and produced salt. • Crops were supplemented by fishing and hunting. • The Olmecs had access to many waterways which were used for fishing and trading.

Olmec Art • Olmecs are most notable for their colossal head art. It is theorized that the heads are modeled after their rulers. • Most of the colossal heads were decapitated in some way. • Researchers believe that the Olmecs did this themselves after a ruler died as a sacrifice to the gods. http: //www. ancient. eu/article/672/