The document summarizes the major pre-Columbian cultures of the Americas before 1492, including the Olmecs in Mexico from 2500 BCE - 100 AD, the Zapotecs in Mexico from 2000 BCE - 750 AD, and the Mayans in southern Mexico and Central America from 2000 BCE - 1250 AD. It describes some of their key achievements like calendars, ball games, cities, and advanced mathematics and astronomy for the Mayans. The document provides images and details about the cultures, civilizations, religions, and cities that existed in North, Central, and South America before European contact.

1. The Americas Before 1492
Social Studies
Teacher N. M. Kathy Urbina

2. Cultures
Mid-America
Mexico -> Central America
• Olmec
• Zapotec
• Mayan
• Chichimec
– Toltec
– Aztecs
http://members.fortunecity.es/kaildoc/tenochtitlan/imatenoch/mesoamerica.jpg

3. Cultures
Andes
Chavin
Paracs
Mochica
Tiwanaku
Incas
http://www.tareasya.com/recursos/h5_p_90.gif

4. Cultures
North America
Adena
Hopewell
Mississippi
Anasazi
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/North_America_satellite_globe.jpg/350px-
North_America_satellite_globe.jpg

5. Cultures
From South America to the Caribbean
Arawak
Columbia
Chibcha
Tairon
Chile - Argentina
Mapuche
http://www.international.rai.it/diffusione/img/cartine/americalatina.jpg

7. The Olmecs
2500 BCE – 100 AD

8. Olmecs
The ancient group of America
Gulf of Mexico
Sculptures
Giant Heads
Agriculture
Beans, pumpkin, and corn
Merchants
Established routes: Mississippi-Costa Rica

9. Olmecs

10. Olmecs
Culture
Calendar
Hieroglyphics
Ball Game
Urban construction
Ceramic
Precious Stone: Jade

11. The Zapotecs
2000 BCE – 750 AD

12. Zapoteca
Monte Alban, Oaxaca, Mexico
Calendar (260 days) in function of
agriculture seasons
Improved the Ball game
Goldsmiths
Ceramics

13. Zapotecs

15. The Mayan
2000 BCE – 1250 AD

16. Mayan
South of Mid-America
They are still alive!
6 a 7 millions
• Mexico
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• El Salvador
Rigoberta Menchu Tum

17. Mayan
One of the most important civilizations
on Planet Earth
Two great historic moments
2000 BCE - 750 BCE
900 AD – 1250 AD

18. Mayan
Cities
Institutional Centers
• Temple
• Market
• Palace
• Pyramids (Royal Tombs)
• Aqueducts
• Irrigation Canals

19. Mayan
Cities
Chichen Itza
Copan
Tikal
Palenque
Uxmal
Kabah

20. Mayan
Hieroglyphs

21. Mayan
Warriors
Knowledge
Mathematics
• Number system
Sciences
• Astronomy
• Biology
• Physics

22. Mayan
Calendars
MOON
• 260 days
SUN
• 365 days

23. Mayan
Social and Political Organization
Dual Government
• Halach Uinik or Ahau
– King (Civil Chief with religious responsibilities)
• Ahuacan (Snake Lord)
– High Priest

24. Mayan Religion
Popol Vuh
Gucamatz
Tepeu
Gods
Sun
Moon
Water
Land (Soil)

25. Maya: Popol Vuh (Sacred Text)

26. Teotihuacan
7th Century AD

27. A city of Pyramids
Sun
Moon