Mexico And Aztecs

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• The Yangshao culture was first excavated in 1921, it lasted to c. 2700B.C.E. - Farmers grew millet, wheat, and rice, and domesticated pigs, dogs, goats and perhaps horses. - They lived mostly in river valleys, and villages were often surrounded by walls for protection.
• Soon larger political units were created and the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties came to be. - The Traditional chronological dating suggests that one succeeded another. - Capitals were frequently shifted implying that each king wanted to make their mark. - Like many other cities, the Chinese cities were also religious centers, with Kings that presided over rituals.
-The early ritual of oracle bones leaves evidence of an early form of writing. -The
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The Olmec built raised platforms, settlements, and shrines above the low-lying woodlands. Olmec art, which depicts animals and mythological creatures, suggest a shared religious base of society. The Olmecs also constructed larger mounds which were probably used as alters.
Teotihuacan In the valley of Mexico,40 miles east of present-day Mexico City, stood Teotihuacan. At its height Teotihuacan held about 100,000 inhabitants in 8 square miles. This city marked the beginning of a true urban revolution. Teotihuacan quickly became a dominant power in Mesoamerica. The residents prospered on agriculture, due to the irrigation the Lake Texcoco, craftwork and trade in ceramics and locally quarried obsidian.
Maya Maya was built on the foundation of Olmec and Teotihuacan. The Maya lived in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, in Guatemala, and Belize. They constructed ceremonial centers by 2000B.C.E. Between 300B.C.E and 300C.E they expanded their centers to plazas, surrounding their cities in monumental architecture. At the center was the great city of Tikal. In modern day Guatamala the city of Tikal was the most elaborate, largest cities. While most Maya states held 30,000-50,000 people Tikal held 360,000, covering almost 1,000 square miles. The Mayas also created an elaborate calendar. By 900 B.C.E the period of the Maya people ended. The most common hypotheses include: extensive population pressure on natural recourses and extensive

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