Ancient Civilization of American
American Continent
Indian Tribes
• According to experts, the people who developed the old civilizations of the Americas came from mainland Siberia in Russia who crossed over the Bering Strait when it was still small at about 20000-50000 years ago. Based on
archaeological tenuan estimated that they come from different tribes. The first came Amurian is the nation that has a shorter body size compared with Europeans. Then followed by a nation that has a Mongolian race that came in about the early centuries AD. The mixing of the two
nations gave birth to the nation's American Indians
(American Indians) which is also called Amerind nation
• Amerind nation is a nation of nomads who then spread throughout the American continent from north, central and south. Their daily life is to hunt small animals, catch fish and gather wild fruits. When the Europeans arrived on this continent in the 15th century they were still
living in the Neolithic era. Based on archaeological
findings estimated that since 2500 BC these people have
planted corn, beans, potatoes, tomatoes, chocolate and
tobacco is an agricultural crop them. It is estimated that
the plants we know today are derived from their
• Amerind peoples in Central Mexico build chinampas or floating gardens. By way of chinampas, fertile soil that is excavated from the lake located at the base made of
twigs, and in it planted seeds. The system is highly
productive so they can be harvested three times a year. It is estimated that by increasing the agricultural
production is also affected by the birth rate so that the
number of people living in this area is increasing. Finally,
through the passage of time these nations spread out
and form their own civilization so as to be different from
each other
• At approximately 2000 years ago, there were parents who had advanced civilizations in the Americas, namely Mesoamerican civilization covering Olmec civilization, the Maya
And Teotihuacan and Toltec. By the experts is called
Mesoamerican civilization because it is located in the middle of the American continent and the Yucatan plateau; Aztec
civilization in the highlands of Mexico and the Inca civilization in South America. The results of their civilization can be
equated with civilization of the Indus River valley, the Yellow
River, the Nile and peradaan Mesopotamia, the Euphrates and
the Tigris.
Central of American
The Olmec Civilization
• Based on archaeological findings, the Olmec civilization developed since 1500 BC to 300 AD The supporters of this civilization is
estimated centered around the town of San Lorenzo is now in
Central America. Population live in groups in the buildings of large
stones. They are led by the elite for generations. This nation has
known form of writing. It is estimated that this civilization was
destroyed in the attack nations who came from the north. Great
pyramid building are approximately 30 M built the Olmec serves
as a ceremonial offerings on their gods. The building is surrounded
by vast agricultural fields that are expected to support the workers
who built the monument. The ability of this nation is building a
fine stone statue that serves as part of their belief
Mayan Civilization
• Based on archaeological findings, this nation come from the north and then settle and develop their civilization in the Yucatan Peninsula, Central America. Their civilization centered on agrarian life. They grow corn, beans, pepper and some whole grains and fruits. They also maintain
turkeys and dogs, as well as fishing along the coast is done by men. They also spun cotton for textiles are sold to other places. So, in addition to agriculture, trade is the main activity. They sell merchandise that is brought
directly to the buyers that were located very far away in
the Central American region.
• Social organization marked by the reign of the rich elite who also conduct commercial activities . Elite also serves as a leader in the rituals of their faith.
They also belonged to the educated who have the privilege of studying
science . Outside groups that are farmers and slaves owned by the elite. The Mayans had developed a writing system that has a similar hieroglyp 850 character . This paper used to record sequences of events , activities rituals , astrology or astronomy written on tree bark and deer skin . Writing that they develop also serves as a historical record marital births , wars and death of kings Maya . By writing the science, knowledge to be develop progressing well.
This nation has known a calendar with 18 months of the year totaled each
month is 20 days , and one month , amounting to 5 days so that the number of days per year is 365 days . They have also developed a mathematical , using the system bar ( +5 ) and dot ( or dots = 1 ) . Developed mathematical forms based on the vigesimal ( 20 ) rather than the decimal system . Furthermore , astronomy is also one of the science that they develop
Teotihuacan
• Teotihuacan civilization that support by approximately
200,000 people living in the valleys of central Mexico. They developed civilization centered in Teoticuacan trade. The city also serves as a religious center that invites pilgrims from
Central America. In the city center built the pyramids moon and sun. Pyramid of the Sun is made of red brick and covered with stone has a length of 700 feet and 200 feet tall. Pyramid month also built with similar construction but with a smaller size. On a smaller temple, residents and newcomers to
worship the gods of rain and snake gods, which they called
Quetzalcoatl. Staple food is maize population
Toltec
• Teotihuacan civilization fell in the year 700 AD as a result of the invasion of the barbarians. In two hundred years later there is competition among the various ethnic groups that enter this area that led to the end of the golden age of Mesoamerica. Among the nations competing, is the nation's most powerful Toltec and then form a government based on a confederation with its predecessor civilization. King Toliptzin (980-1000 AD) who holds Quetzalcoatl or religious leaders extend its hegemony over the whole of Mexico and the central part of the capital build in Tula. After his death the king of Tula was captured by the barbarians Chichimec 1224 Chichimec M. Then the nations conquered by the Aztecs as a warlike nation.
Aztecs created a civilization in Mexico before the arrival of the last
European nations.
• Having seized control of the nation Chichimec, the Aztecs established a capital in Tenochitiliin. By adopting the
Toltec culture, the Aztecs expand its territory to rule the whole of mainland Mexico as well as mastering some
subjugated nation. Aztec capital city is growing rapidly as
a trading center. With the rapid trader class trade grew
rapidly to form a separate layer. They sell luxury goods
such as cotton, coca, leather and gold jewelry. Emperor
Montezuma II is the famous (1502-1520 AD) is considered
by historians to have symbols of greatness than the kings
of Europe in the same period.
Aztec Civilization
• Aztec nation is a nation that likes war. For them the war is part of everyday culture and part of the belief system. They
worshiped many gods (polytheistic). The sun god
Huitzilopochtli was the greatest. They believe that the sun is the source of life and must be maintained in order to continue to circulate in orbit and spin, rising and sinking. It required
lubricant is pure human blood. They are convinced that human sacrifice was a sacred task and must be done in order to keep the sun god gives prosperity for mankind. Performed sacrifice at the altar on top of the pyramid by way of taking the victim's heart by pastors. Human sacrifice was also done in bulk by
killing many victims.
• Three hypotheses were made regarding the reasons anthropologists human sacrifice , in addition to the reason for the sacrifice of the gods . First , the human sacrifices made to reduce the number of people , especially since the number of prisoners increased rapidly compared with the birth rate . Second , is to give the people of the bodies that have been sacrificed as a source of
protein and vitamins . This hypothesis is very weak because the Aztecs produce many plant corn and beans and tomatoes , as well as keeping dogs , chickens and turkeys . Third , a more rational , is to frighten dissidents and rebels so that they do not take the fight against the king's power . The prisoners of war are many who are victimized in large numbers to the sun . Innocent people who were also subjected to a victim as lead generals who failed in the war , the corrupt , the judge made the wrong decision and state officials who do wrong , including those who enter restricted areas at the royal court . King Montezutna II never sacrificing a number of 5100 victims in the memorial hike throne .
Stratification in Aztec
• At the beginning there are no Mexican migration to the coating or social stratification because all classes are poor. It is not known with certainty background of the emergence of social
stratification. According to Aztec legend, the people are divided
into several groups. The first class is the top leadership of the king
is emperor. Emperor aided by the nobility or imperial officials who
acted as feudal class of Europe in the Middle Ages. The prince or
nobleman called techutli. Below is the class of the nobility of the
soldier or soldiers. This group getting special status in the country
because they were able to capture prisoners to be used as slaves
or victims to the gods. If they fail to perform their duties will be
used as laborers or even be a victim to the gods.
• Class under ordinary citizen soldier is called
maceuatli or workers. This class serves as farmers, soldiers and workers to build lowly temples, roads, bridges and others. Below them are working people who do not own land or called thalmaitl. This group has the right to citizenship and higher than slaves.
Bottom bracket is called a slave or tlatocotin. This group also has certain rights, which is different from the slave class in Europe. They were allowed to
worship god and have the ability of its own land
• All classes of people worship the same god Huitzilopochtli and the other gods but with different temples, sacrifice ceremony led by a pastor who often also serves as a shaman who predicted the fate of someone in the future.
Substitution king was not done according to hierarld
or descent but by election. Although the eldest son
becomes the priority to be selected, aspects of skills
and abilities are the basis for selection of the king.
Aztec Culture
• The Aztecs had the art of building ( architecture ) is very high . When the
Spaniards came to the city of Tenochtitlan ( now Mexico City ) they witnessed the progress of this nation . In the city there Tenichititlan buildings that have architectural value is very high as aquaduc (waterworks ) , four highway network to the city , wide streets and canals that cross the city and the bridge over it . The buildings were built using high technology according to the size of that era . In the middle of the city center built the great temple as an offering to the god Huitzilopochtli center . Building height was 30 M , consists of three levels , each level has 120 steps. Construction of roads and canals width is to facilitate the movement of persons and merchandise . They traded turkeys , ducks , chickens , rabbits and deer . Processed agricultural products in the fields of agriculture is avocado , red beans and corn . They are also made of gold and silver handicrafts to jewelry . Of trading activity and the type of merchandise sold and means of supporting the construction of the experts concluded that the Aztecs had a high civilization .
Inca Civilization
• Inca civilization developed along the western half of South
America, especially in Peru. As with the Aztecs, the Incas is a
nation that has a character that expansionist empire military
done by war. Core Incan civilization is thriving farm between
600-1000 AD They made a terracing system to withstand the
landslide and flood irrigation to withstand. To cultivate the land
they use plows made of bronze. Plants that are planted beans,
corn, peppers, tomatoes, white potatoes. Agricultural products
not only to meet the farmers consumption but also to feed the
army in large numbers, class of bureaucrats and thousands of
factory workers. Their typical drink is chicha is a kind of beer
made from corn
• Inca is the imperialist nations conquer and rule the nations with the power military neighbors . Thus government militarized empire . When the king
Pachacuti Inca (1438-1471 AD ) and his son Topa Inca (1471 -1493) in power , expanded Inca territory by conquering the surrounding nations who dwell in Ecuador , Colombia and Chile , which contrast with the Aztec empire controlling people with terror , Incan empire do with unification . They forced the king who conquered the nation's population and the national language Quechwa
( pronounced keshwa ) and state that worshiped the sun god . In governing the empire of local leaders involved in the central government bureaucracy empire through colonization wise to mitima called . To maintain the unity of their empire build wide roads that connect central government with derah - conquered
areas . These roads will ease traffic troops to quell the rebellion or also to
facilitate traffic of people from one place to another . Can result that in running Incan system of government is more advanced than the Aztecs and
Mesoamerican peoples .
•
Although in the field of mathematics and astronomy are not superior to the Aztecs and the Incas Mesoamerica has an advantage in the field of art awake , as in the manufacture of textiles and ceramics . Construction of fortifications and roads are wide shows that they have a high ability to set the course of government . King lived in a beautiful castle built with stone monolith carved or intact . In carrying out the king's reign is " socialist " . The results of the fertile agricultural surplus is distributed to areas
lacking . In the social field , he's deeply concerned with aspects of
marriage . Men or women who have grown and yet others have chosen pair , then married in a public ceremony . In the religious aspect of the Incas believed the sun god . Their kings are believed to have ties
genealogical descent or origin of the sun . Only tidal : known with
certainty whether the Incas also perform human sacrifice like the Aztecs .
