Meso America Mysteries of the Ancients The Great Migration The last ice age occurred approximately 40,000-15,000 years ago. Global temperatures cooled and vast glaciers covered the northern hemisphere. The ocean levels dropped and exposed the sea floor at the Bering Sea creating a 50 miles long land bridge between Asia and Alaska. Tribes of Asians followed migrating animals into North America on a 15,000 miles route from China to the tip of South America. The journey took thousands of years, as generation after generation of tribes entered America in waves; newer tribes pushed older ones further south. The finding of Clovis points (unique arrow & spear heads) point to Europeans migrating into North America along the Atlantic ice shelf. At the end of the Ice Age, the global temperatures slightly increased. Glaciers melted and oceans rose; the land bridge disappeared. By 1400's AD the population of Native Americans was approximately 50 million, mostly in Meso America where these tribes of Native Americans established large cities and empires. Pacific Migration Evidence exists that millennia later, some Asian people came to South America by boat across the Pacific Ocean. Olmec The Olmec society developed at approximately 1200 BC along the rivers of Central America and the Gulf of Mexico. The Olmec civilization covered 6000 7000 square miles of jungle region. Olmec Society The Olmec were ruled by Priest-Kings. They carved massive boulder heads as high as 11ft tall and weighing up to 20 tons. The rock was hauled as far as 80 miles through the jungle. Many were buried in precise geological lines. They calculated the earth s year to a greater accuracy than the modern calendar: 365.2420 days. Olmec Decline The Olmec civilization declined around 400 BC. Then by 100 BC, they mysteriously abandoned their cities. 1
Maya The Maya civilization developed slowly from 1800-100 BC. Their society and culture were largely influenced by the Olmec. From 250-900 AD their empire stretched across 125,000 square miles and had a population of 3,000,000. Mayan Religion Like the Olmec, the Maya were ruled by Priest-Kings. Their religion was based on the blood sacrifice of humans and animals. The more powerful the person sacrificed or bled, the more powerful the magic the priest-king could wield. Mayan cities were religious centers built in the jungles with pyramids and large open plazas. Maya Agriculture Their economy was based on agriculture namely maize, beans, avocados, and melons. Because their civilization was embedded in the jungles, the Maya built large farm terraces into hillsides to grow and irrigate their crops. Mayan Science Their math was a base-20 number system. A Mayan codex was both an almanac and recorded history of their mythological beliefs. Their science and myths were based on precise movement of sun, moon, and stars. Mayan Science Mayan pyramids and temples are precisely aligned with the movement of the sun. The main pyramid at Chichen Itza has 365 steps and is aligned to equinox. Mayan history is recorded in 5 parts (stories) totaling 25,800 years. This time period is also the time it takes for the Earth to go around the galaxy. The 25,800 year Maya calendar ends at Dec 21, 2012 AD (4 Ahau 3 Kankin). Maya Decline Approximately 900AD, the Maya mysteriously abandoned their cities. Their faith waned in the blood power of their priest-kings and their empire dissolved. 2
Aztec Legend - Aztec (Dog people) wandered for 200 years until reaching an eagle sitting on a cactus on an island holding a snake in its talons. Tenochtitlan (Mexico City). Aztec Society 1428 AD - Aztecs used alliances and military might to create an empire. King Ahuitzotl and King Montezuma conquered throughout Central America. Aztec boys were trained as warriors. Aztec population reached 25 million. Established Calpullis - large settlements Aztec Social Ranks Nobles Commoners Serfs (1/3 of population) Slaves Aztec Religion Aztec believed there were spirits in all things. Aztec practiced Human sacrifice. Aztec played games where winners were beheaded. Sacrificed people became divine beings. Aztec built 3 pyramids at Teotichuacan. Aztec Culture Trade - goods were exchanged across the empire such as feathers, jade, and cocoa School - commoner boys went to school until age 10 Tribute - commoners paid taxes to nobles Men worked in fields Women cooked, wove clothing, cared for children Aztec Agriculture Aztec built chinampas, which were floating reed gardens sometimes 300 feet long. Corn Squash Peppers Beans Tomatoes 3
Inca Inca built their civilization in the Cuzco Valley of the central Andes of South America (22,000 ft). 1438 AD Emperor Pachacuti began his conquest and established his empire of Tihuantinsuyu (Land of Four Corners). By 1525 the Inca Empire stretched over 2000 miles and had a population of 13,000,000. Inca enforce unity Imprisoned princes and idols of conquered peoples. Conquered soldiers joined the Inca army. Kept the army spread across the empire. Made Quechua the official language. All things belonged to the emperor. Public works kept commoners busy. Inca constructed 10,000 miles of highways. Empire had 2 classes: commoners and nobles. Commoners paid tribute to the nobles. Inca Agriculture Farming areas divided into 3 zones. Commoners grow food for nobles Commoners grow food for religious leaders Commoners grow food for themselves Vertical Agriculture - cultivating food according to elevation Low valleys - corns, beans, squash Mountains - llamas and alpacas Terrace Farming - cultivating steep hillsides into farming terraces Inca Religion Inti - Sun god Mummies Life after death Elongated Skulls Oral tradition passed through remembers called quipu camayocs. 4
Spanish Conquest 1492 - Columbus discovered the New World, and this brought the Spanish to Central and South America. There they discovered large wealthy cities and empires spread across these regions. Conquistadors - generals and soldiers who conquered the Meso Americans in the name of Christianity. Cortes conquered Aztecs Aztec believed Cortez to be the god Quetzalcoatl. Cortes took Montezuma hostage. Aztec rebelled & Montezuma was killed. The Tlaxcalan joined with the Spanish and attacked the Aztec. By 1521 disease, starvation, and war forced the Aztec to completely surrender. Pizarro conquered Incas Francisco Pizarro led fewer than 180 soldiers into the Andes and Cuzco Valley. Spanish attempted to convert emperor Atahualpa. Pizarro attacked Cuzco, killing over 5000 Inca. Spanish held Athahualpa hostage for a room full of gold. They then killed him. Manco Inca led an army of 200,000 to Cuzco, and were defeated by the Spanish. By 1572, the Inca were conquered. Reasons for Spanish Victory Diseases brought by Europeans Spanish allied with rebel tribes Spanish had better weapons such as the musket. The vastly different culture of the Spanish made them appear mysterious and god-like. There is nothing but grief and suffering in Mexico and Tlatelolco, where once we saw beauty and valor. Have you grown weary of your servants. Are you angry with your servants, O Giver of Life? 5
Wonders of the Ancients Sacsahuaman - fortress composed of blocks weighing several tons fitted together perfectly without gaps. In 2000 AD, only 3 cranes exist capable of lifting some of these blocks. Gate of the Sun weighed over 100 tons. Maya calculated the orbit of the moon to within.3 seconds when the majority of the world believed the world was flat. Maya calculated the precision of the Earth. 25,800 years Meso American temples and pyramids were aligned to the solar calendar and stellar constellations. Nazca Desert - 13,000 lines in the desert form massive sketches hundreds of feet across only visible to the sky. The lines, invisible from the ground, have lasted for centuries. Some figures include a monkey, a whale, a spider, and serpent, and an astronaut. The perimeter of the great pyramid of Giza when multiplied by 43,200 (a precision number) equals the diameter of the earth. The layout of the three Egyptian pyramids at Giza and aligned exactly as the three Aztec pyramids at Mexico City. Some Mysteries ask how did the ancients do or know something. Some mysteries ask why did the ancient do something. Until modern man can answer these questions, we do not truly understand our history or our world. 6