Mexican History 1: Ancient Civilizations in Mexico

Early Mexican Civilizations

• Survival: Earliest people hunted and gathered plants
• Maize Cultivation: 7,000 years ago, maize farming began
• Community Formation: Farming enabled larger settled communities

Farming

Farming enabled the formation of larger settled communities. It provided a reliable food source, allowing people to stay in one place and build permanent homes. This led to the development of complex societies and the growth of civilizations. With farming, humans could produce surplus food, support larger populations, and specialize in different tasks.

Exploring Ancient Civilizations in Mexico

The Olmec civilization began around 1500 B.C. along the Gulf Coast. The Maya people followed, settling in southern Mexico.

Maya Civilization

The Maya civilization settled in southern Mexico after the Olmec civilization. Known for their advanced writing system, impressive architecture, and mathematical and astronomical knowledge, the Maya civilization thrived from around 2000 BC to 1500 AD. They built magnificent cities, such as Tikal and Chichen Itza, and developed a complex calendar system. The Maya civilization mysteriously declined around the 9th century AD, leaving behind a rich cultural legacy.

Maya Civilization

• The Maya built temples and recorded their history.
• They excelled at astronomy, studying stars and planets.
• Their advanced knowledge of astronomy influenced their architecture and religious beliefs.
• The Maya used hieroglyphic writing to document their history, culture, and achievements.
• They developed a complex calendar system based on astronomical observations.

Maya's Astronomy

The Maya's advanced knowledge of astronomy greatly influenced their architecture and religious beliefs. They used celestial observations to align their temples and pyramids with astronomical events. The Maya believed that the movements of the stars and planets influenced human destiny, leading to the development of complex calendars and hieroglyphic writing to record celestial events.

Ancient Aztec Civilization

• The Aztecs settled in Mexico City in the A.D. 1300s
• Skilled farmers and engineers
• Built canals and aqueducts to deliver water
• Had a strong military

Ancient Civilization: Aztecs

Aztecs settled in Mexico City in the A.D. 1300s. Known for their strong military, they built a powerful empire through conquest. Their capital, Tenochtitlan, was one of the largest cities in the world at that time. The Aztecs had a complex society, advanced agriculture, and a rich mythology. They also practiced human sacrifice as part of their religious rituals.