1-STS

• The Olmec were the first great Mesoamerican civilization, from 1200 to 400 BC, located along the southern gulf coast of Mexico
• Olmec civilization


  • Constructed permanent city-temple complexes
  • Manufactured chocolate drinks
  • Practiced human sacrifice and cannibalism
  • Originated the Mexican calendar
  • Studied astronomy
  • Had animal gods as features of their culture
  • Engaged in trade
• The Maya civilization was an ancient civilization of Central America, noted for its advanced writing, mathematics, and astronomical systems, from AD 250-900
• Maya civilization


  • Had a fully developed written language
  • Developed advanced art, architecture, mathematics, and astronomical systems
  • Believed in a cyclical nature of time
  • Rituals and ceremonies closely associated with celestial and terrestrial cycles
  • Used a base 20 and base 5 numbering system
  • Developed the concept of zero by 36 BCE
  • Had a hierarchical political structure with hereditary rulers
  • Employed diverse and sophisticated agricultural methods
• The Aztecs emerged as the dominant force in central Mexico, developing an intricate social, political, religious and commercial organization, until they were overthrown by the Spanish in 1521
• Aztec civilization


  • Originated as a nomadic tribe in northern Mexico
  • Had their capital city Tenochtitlan
  • Borrowed numerous words from their Nahuatl language into Spanish and English
  • Competed to construct the greatest temples in the Aztec empire, often building over old structures
• Evidences of science and technology in the Inca civilization

  • Mummification
  • Textiles, including the finest grade called Cumpi
  • Inca stones used for building
  • Inca calendar
  • Inca quipu (knotted strings)
  • Successful skull surgeries
  • Physical measures based on human body parts
  • Weaponry including bronze/bone-tipped spears, wooden swords, clubs, slings, bolas