ANTH 202 Final

Marajó Island

(400BC - 1300AD) Independent trajectory of development. Evidence of huge earthworks, possibly remnants of a complex society that had moved to the island from the Andes. Research -- evidence of large, pained urns. Many continuities between modern Amazonian people and Marajoarans.

San Bartolo, Guatemala

(Las Pinturas Pyramid) Built up. Pyramids built on top of each others' ruins. Found Mural. Walls have different murals (100BC). These end up bieng the Las Pinturas Pyramid. Illustrations of Popul Voh.

Mayapan

100km west of Chichen Itza. Political and cultural capital of Maya in the Yucatan from 1220-1440. Population ranged from 15,000-17,000. 4.2 sq km and 4000 structures. Mayapan was the last great Maya city - after this, the Maya lived in smaller sociopolitical units, which is how things stood at the time of Spanish arrival.

Shang Dynasty

1600- 1045 BC An Yang = seat of power. Metallurgy common; evidence of bronze works. Hauntei site - middle Shang Period seat of power. Occupied 50 years before burned down. An Yang -- no evidence of walls. Safer? WRITING -- Symbolic. Used to write what scapulimancy said? Evidence of early pictographs (can't link to pronunciation, etc). Also evidence of: 1) Banpo (Yangshao) Grafitti 2) Erlitou, Dawenkou, Liangzhu markings First codified writing = Shang Script. was Codified Scapulimancy. Writing was VERY restricted. Those who controlled it had power. Corresponds to STRATIFIED society.

Minoan Civilization

2000-1450 BC Dominated by kings living in fortresses. Early writing: Linear A in Crete, Linear B from Greece spreads to Crete. Palace at Knossos (excavated by Arthur Evans. Dates to 3000 BC but expanded, developed 2000 BC. Copper from Turkey, Gold from Egypt, Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan. 1450 BC - Earthquake (Palace not rebuilt). Then Myceanean culture shows up on island.

Middle Kingdom Egypt

2055 BC - 1650 BC Return to centralized Egypt

Intermediate period in Egypt

2181 BC - 2055 BC (Period of destabilization between Old Kingdom and Middle Kingdom.

Qin Dynasty

221-206BC Led by Shihuangdi. Bellicose leader, connected the Great Wall. Had China's first paid standing army. Codified legal system. Codified Writing System. Standardized Coinage System. Tomb of Shihuangdi -- Terracotta Soldiers: Tomb takes 36 years. Accompanying his tomb are 700,000 Terra Cotta soldiers. Tomb is burned with Mercury so nobody disturbs it.

Indus Valley Civilization/ Harappan Phase/Era

2600-1900BC. Indus Valley Civilization commonly known as the Harappan traidition. 1500 Harappan sites have been reported. Few villages have been excavated, but most appear to be 2.5-12.5 acres in sie and are located near rivers or streams. Located along the Indus, Saraswati rivers in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan. Grouping of independent city-states/towns. Used same symbols to write but not sure if they used the same language. Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were similar. Varied between 150-250 acres and contained populations of roughly 40,000-80,000 people. Both Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa were built with massive mud-brick walls and platforms that raised the towns above the surrounding flood-plains. Mohenjo-Daro was rebuilt at least nine times.

Old Kingdom Egypt

2686 BC - 2181 BC

Kot Diji Phase

2800-2600BC --> Elaborate ceramics, more so than Mergarh/ Ravi Phase.

Franchthi Cave, Greec

38000 BC --> First Evidence of residence 8000 BC --> Full Time residence. Evidence of domesticated plants and animals. First Agriculture in Europe. Heavy reliance on domesticates (sheep, goats, wheat, Barley). Trade around Aegean Region. Sickles found for wheat.

Varna, Bulgaria

4500 BC: Evidence of copper work (smelting, not just hammering), copper also in burials. Gold in Burials at Varna Gravesite found in 1972. Little evidence of children: people accruing their wealth. Also evidence of clay, graphite, etc. Cenotaphs: Empty graves with artifcats in them. 20% of graves at Varna = cenotaphs.

Merimde

4900BC: Early ceramics/sculpture, cluster of oval houses. Carved stone face typical. Flood storage. Example of early transition from Hunter-Gatherer to agricultural society.

Yangshao Culture

5000-3000 BC. Located along Yellow River Valley. Cemeteries were arranged in lineage units. Millet-Based culture. Evidence of grinding stones, hoes spades from animal bones. Semi-Subterranean Houses. Evidence of Jade suggests long-distance trade. Controlling trade networks let to economic, and ultimately, political power. BANPO site (Yangshao example) important. Cemetary, Pottery production outside city walls: cultural/religious purpose (for cemeteries)? Protect against fire hazard within city walls?

Hongshan Culture

5000-4500 BC. Evidence of Rice fields, cattle scapulae. Scapulimancy = interpreting cracks in bones.

Teotihuacan

6-8 sq. km. Population up to 20,000; nucleated around major centers. Large centralization of power, population. One of the world's largest cities in A.D. 500. Manufacture of obsidian artifacts may have played a role in growth of Teotihuacan. Used for knives and other tools, ritually to extract blood in self-sacrifice, ornamentally in masks, militarily for weapons. Max 125,000 people at its height. Sacred city with multiple temples. Talud-Tablero architectural style - recessed rectangular panels separated by sloping aprons. Elaborate burials. Pyramid of the sun and Pyramid of the moon dominate surrounding area. Caves with ritual items found within them. Not much known about decline, but 650-750 associated with militarism.

Dongson Culture (Vietnam)

600BC - 400AD Vietnam. Settlement patterns indicate trend towards state-level society. Iron used for framing, weapons (indicates warfare). Bronze Drums --> Used at Co Loa. (Drums were not necessarily played; used as status marker.) Ceremonial gift-giving and Exchange network.

The Olmecs

900-400BC. The Olmecs known as one of earliest Mesoamerican civilizations. Colossal Human Head Sculpture ("The King") found at San Lorenzo. Multiple large Olmec Heads found along the gulf and coastal plain in Veracruz and Tabasco in Mexico Writing System - Cascajal Block

Arrival of Strangers

AD 378: Teotihuacan intervention at Tikal. The day Teotihuacan ruler arrived, Xac Toh (14th Tikal leader) dies. Replaced by Yax Nuun Aniin, who was installed by the Teotihuacan ruler.

Pharaoh

After 5000 years, families broke down, ending the centralized Old Kingdom. Led to destabilization. 4 dynasties in the Intermediate Period.

Key Points on Indus Valley Civilization

After long development period, Mature Harappan Phase existed throughout Indus Valley 2600-1900 BC. Indus Civilization was the largest ancient civilization by territory in the Old World Very decentralized and dispersed settlements, no evidence for central rulers. There is limited evidence for violent conflict, an no evidence for the destruction of cities. The Indus Script of roughly 450 characters is still undeciphered, but was probably used for economic matters and functions. Indus Civilization begins to break down ~1900 BC likely due to environmental changes.

Hopewell Culture

Also associated with Northeast/Woodland tradition. Hopewell tradition follows Adena in Ohio Valley. Large geometric enclosures. People associated with building mounds. Burial mounds also important part of mortuary activities. Begins in Illinois around 100 B.C. Lasts until 250 A.D.

Poverty Point

Ancient Earthworks in southeastern North America (Louisiana) Evidence of sedentary residential pattern and perhaps emergence of greater social differentiation than was present elsewhere in eastern North America at the time. Located on Macon Ridge overlooking Macon Bayou and the floodplain of the Mississippi River. Presence of post molds indicates previous structures existed in the area. Area encircled by earthen embankments and contains a central plaza likely used for ritual activities. Population somewhat unknown, though population estimates range as high as several thousand people.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat comprised of a central temple and was built by Suryavarman II. Temples and religious systems maintained local elites, redistributed taxes/tributes (rice, fish, salt, oil, cloth). Later temples have evidence of inscriptions, writing, laws and punishments, carved stone, rewards to the faithful, intense concern for quality of agricultural land.

Key Points on South America

Archaeology of South America highlights the incredible damage of looting and antiquities market. Andes are one of the harshest environments in which a major civilization arose. Archaeology of Andes: characterized by number of cultural traditions whose shared ideology can be traced back from ethnohistoric record. Inca Empire was largest, most complex state formation in New world and employed complex strategies of conquest and management.

Adena culture

Associated with Northeast and Woodland Tradition (1000 BC - contact) Adena Burials: people were buried in mounds. Mounds piled immediately on top of burned mortuary building. Carved stones, copper, marine shell, mica sheets, etc. Hopewell tradition follows Adena in Ohio Valley.

Dorset culture

Associated with Northeastern Arctic Region. Dorset culture (result of culture-historical approach of BOAZ) Dorset houses -- semi-subterranean to capture warmth. No terrestrial houses Seals, walruses, whales = food source. Snow knives = popular tool. Art = stone and wood carvings. May have been decimated by Vikings/Norse from Greenland. Tule culture replaces Dorset culture.

Halafian Culture

Associated with Northern Mesopotamia (6100-5100BC). Continuous neolithic pottery development. Halafian style pattery = painted pottery, replacing previous monochrome ceramics. Modern day Turkey, Syria, Iraq.

Pengtoushan

Associated with Yangtze River Region, which was wet and allowed for Rice farming. Earliest evidence hard to determine, since rice does not preserve well. Pengtoushan associated 7000-5500 BC).

Hierakonpolis (Nekhen

Associated with the Gerzean Period (3500-3100BC). Semi-subterranean rectangular houses, more elavorate crafts. Villages have 1000s of people. Know when to plant and hunt. The EARLIEST evidence of centralization of all of the Egypt. Cemetary at Hierakonpolis: Burials with Maccheads - warriors celebrated.

Olmec Collapse (400BC)

Attributed to: Disease, Ecological Disaster, Failure of Political system.

Encinitas Tradition

California, 6000BC: Cogged stones. Not too much evidence of what life was like beyond that. Takic-speaking group expansion in Southern California ("Mission Indians" )

Tenochititlan

Capital of Aztecs "Venice of the New World". Templo Mayor = twin temple dedicated to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc, the rain diety. Mexica origin. Mexica were chichimecs from northern desert who didn't arrive in Basin of Mexico until middle of 13th century AD. Founded 1325 Ad. Intnsive Chinampa agriculture. Transport by canoe. Develops from small island town into largest and most powerful city in all of Mesoamerica. Joins with Texcoco and Tlacopan in Triple Alliance that vaults the Aztec capital to a supreme political position in Basin of Mexico. 1473 defeats Tlatelolco. Dual city linked. Connected by large causeways.

The Toltecs (Tolteca-Chichimeca)

Chichimecs ("barbaric") combined with Toltecs (advanced civilization) --> leads to Tolteca-Chichimeca. Establish Capital at Tula Toltec History (highly altered by Aztecs, who rewrote history to glorify themselves): Mixcoatl, followed by son Topiltzin Queszalcoatl --> ruler at Tula. Quetzalcoatl --> light VS. Tezcatlipoca --> Darkness. Mythology: Tezcatlipoca gets T. Quetzalcoatl drunk, to the point where he sleeps with sister. T Quetzalcoatl and followers flee to Chichen Itza.

The Long Count

Classic Maya system of dating that records the total number of days elapsed from an initial date in the distant past. Based on multiples of 20.

Palenque

Classic center on the western edge of Maya Lowlands. Occupied during Early Classic period and remained relatively small until defeat of its ruler by Calakmul in AD 611. Power taken by K'inich Janaab Pakal I. During Pakal's rule, Palenque emerged as a major power. Major structures built after his accesion. Water management (Lakanha') and floods -- too much water. water rerouted below main palace. Sarcophagus of Pakal -- Large, with caned lid. Among earliest Maya centers to experience collapse. Burried at bottom of pyramid with servants.

Eridu

Complex chiefdom, though not truly a state-level society Known as "oldest large city" in 3000 BC. Similar to an "Ancient Rome" to Sumerians. Established before end of the 6th millenium BC. includes possible remnants of a temple. Associated with early 'Ubaid period. By the end of the 'Ubaid period, more complex/populated civilizations had risen.

Egypt Key Points

Culture centered around the Nile Earliest Permanent Settlements --> beginning of 5th millenium BC Egyptian writing largely limited to priests and palace-related culture. Construction of pyramids limited to Old Kingdom, when Pharaohs were still establishing and consolidating power. Unification of Egypt under one Pharaoh dates to 3100BC, beginning almost 3000 years of succession, broken into 26 dynasties.

Key Points on Ancient China

Earliest Pottery in the world - 18000 BC Several Different Regional Cultures developed early on in China that would contribute to "traditional Chinese heritage". Shang Dynasty --> Earliest state for which have solid written, archaeological evidence. Chinese writing system developed independently for record keeping or divinatory purposes (scapulimancy) and was used as a tool of power. Shihuangdi (Qin Emperor) was first ruler to integrate large portions of China, including both Yangtze, Yellow River Valleys.

Chavin de Huantar (850-200 BC)

Early Horizon Site. Peaks around 400 BC. Agriculture, herding of llama/alpaca. Evidence of Quinoa, cocoa leaves, potatoes. In Steep valley surrounded by mountains. Evidence of ceramics. Central sunken plaza surrounded by taller structures. Chavin Horizon eventually falls apart.

Moche Culture

Early Intermediate Period. Follows Chavin Horizon. Huaca del Sol -- Moche Temple Huaca de la Luna -- remains of Moche Designs Mit'a tax-labor system to built structures. Best known for ceramics, including spouted vessels and Moche sex pots (related to fertility and cycle of life).

El Mirador

Early Maya originally interpreted as an extension of Gulf Coast Olmec Tradition, fostered by belief that Olmec was the "Mother Culture" Late Preclassic site. (400BC - 1000AD) El Mirador was the largest known site of its time in the Maya. Larger than Tikal. Structures are widespread and distributed over 16 square km. Groups of plazas, platforms, buildings, causeways and other constructions. Central acropolis, E groups, large stucco sculptures. Danta Pyramid at El Mirador dwarfs Tikal.

San Lorenzo

Early Preclassic (1500-1000BC) Location of Olmec "The King" head sculpture. Peak occupation at San Lorenzo was preceded by earlier village habitation. Later period characterized by major building episodes that included massive mound and plaza construction, likely had sacred or ritual importance. Largest settlement in Mesoamerica in the Early Formative. Complex political system involving control of the labor force. Control of Preciosities: Redistribution network, tight control of critical resources by elites (subsistence, ideology). Volcanic stone commonly used. Some see Olmec as Mesoamerica's first civilization. Others see San Lorenzo and La Venta as centers associated with inequality and permanent leaders, but not with urbanism or state government. Centers were occupied by elites as well as lower-status people.

Longshan Culture

Emergent Urbanism, Metalwork. Urbanism --> Central marketplaces, police, etc. Increasing social complexity also led to increased social stratification. Nucleated settlements --> safer in case of war/conflict. Terracotta drainage pipes. Early markings indicate beginnings of Chinese writing system.

Ozette SIte (1750)

Engulfed by mudslide 1650. Seal, whale, fish = food source. Evidence of toys, iron works. Complex Hunter-Gatherer society with large villages and ranking society (including slaves)

Mesopotamian Temples

Established in southern Mesopotamia no later than 'Ubaid period (5300-4100 BC). By the end of the period, Sumerian pattern of towns with temples common. Hold both economic and religious functions. Served as focal point for powerful religion and statecraft. Series of 16 temples at Eridu, spanning more than 3000 years. Growth of temples indicative of economic growth. Also associated with storage, so temples were redistributive centers for agricultural produce and craft goods. Complex irrigation: Canal construction; controlled flow of water to associated town. Priests ration water.

Beveled-rim bowls

Example of Uruk pottery

Maiden Castle

Excavated by Mortimer Wheeler using Wheeler Squares to allow stratigraphic sequence to be preserved while excavating. Location: England 500 BC -- Fort 50BC -- Fortifications expanded in anticipation of Roman Invasion. Roman influence apparent after 50 BC.

Aspects of Mesoamerican Cosmovision

Fertile Mother Earth Four Directions and the Center (Axis Mundi) Divine rulership (Hombre-Dios) Sacred mountains Duality (diochotomies) Animism (the belief in a supernatural power that organizes and animates the material universe.) Sacred Calendar Communication with Gods/Ancestors

Co Loa

First large site in Vietnam, part of Dongson culture. Question arises: was state-level society developed independently in Vietnam? Chinese saw Vietnam as "Barbarians", though Co Loa suggests the opposite. Thuc Phan creates Au Lac Polity without Chinese influence from North. Main Debate: did Chinese or Local culture lead to complex society in Vietnam? Evidence suggests local development. Co Loa's Walls: outer, middle, and inner walls. Middle wall: 300 BC (built over long time period) Outer Wall: So large that it indicates state-level organization (1-200BC). Couldn't have been built without state-level organization.

Angkor Thom

Follows Angkor Wat. Large Barays (reservoirs) indicate complex water management system. Associated with Jayavarman VII

Giza

Giza is located near modern Cairo, not far from Memphis. Pyramid of King Khufu at Giza. Built over 20 years. Equivalent of 1800 people working nonstop for 20 years. Stone from all over the world.

Otzi the Ice Man

Highest preserved archaeological find in Europe (3500 m up) Found 1991. Buried by avalanche, covered and frozen over 4300 BC. Internal organs preserved when found. Bread, red deer = last meal before death had bone points, needle, copper axe, flint tools, net. Likely murdered. Arrowhead lodged in shoulder.

Inca Empire (1450-1532)

Huascar + Atahualpla -- conflict. Spanish play off this conflict to take control. Titicaca Region first conquest. Mit'a Labor System -- Built road systems for expansion. Also built drawbridges to cross heavily mountainous sites. Machu PIcchu, Choquequirao are significant sites. Strategies of Conquest: MITMAQ.

Cuzco

Inca Capital. People expand out from Cuzco to expand the Inca Empire. Evidence of Cut Stone structures.

Mitmaq.

Inca conquest technique: Would to go surrounding elites, re-educate them, and place them back in Power. This would allow leaders to stay in place but be indoctrinated with Inca teachings. If rebelled, removed.

Mehrgarh

Indus site associated with sheep, wheat, local domesticates, and zebu cattle. Located in Kachi Plain 200km northwest of Indus River.

Key Points on Prehistoric Europe

Introduction of farming took hold rapidly in Europe, displacing or replacing early hunter-gatherers. Metallurgy served dual purpose of improving weaponry and new category of wealth. Bronze Age spawned Minoan and Mycenaean Civilizations which were defeated by Romans. Intense archaeological interest in prehistoric Europe because it is seen as the time when many of the hallmarks of Western civilization came into being.

Myceneans (1600-1100 BC)

King Agamemnon led Mycenae. Excavated by Hienrich Schliemann. System of city states with powerful kings. Tholos (1400 BC) = made of "cyclopean stones" Beehive-shaped tombs to commemorate kings. Mycenae's Lion Gate significant. Cause of collapse is unknown.

Lake cores

Lake cores were used to determine that a drought likely led to abandonment of Kiuic. Increased gypsum levels in the Lake Chichancanab indicate that water levels plummeted. RC dating of gypsum coincides with Maya collapse and abandonment of Kiuic.

Ziggurats

Large elevated temples scattered throughout Mesopotamia. Elevated to legitimate power. Stepped buildings. Translates to "stepped area". Dedicated specifically to a city's patron god or goddess. Accessible only to hierarchy of priests

Ur

Largest site in the early dynastic period. Excavated by Leonard Woolley. Woolley excavated the tomb of Queen Pu-Abi. Oxen carrying carts surrounding tomb. Servants were buried with the queen. That there are remains of Lapis Lazuli, Gold surrounding the queen indicates evidence of trade!

Tres Zapotes

Late Preclassic (400BC - 250AD). Society consisting of residential core, plaza, mounds. Post-Olmec. Evidence of carved stone containing in Mesoamerican calendar at Tres Zapotes.

Narmer

Led first unification of Egypt (3100-2980BC). Likely an early ruler of Hierakonpolis. Narmer Pallete: wears both white crown of South Egypt and Red Crown of North Egypt to symbolize Unity. Eventually leads to 26 dynaisties. Establishes power in Memphis, the junction between lower, upper Nile. Hereditary Bureaucracy established: family matters.

Cishan and Peiligang Cultures

Located along Yellow River region: 1) Millet Agriculture 2) Loess from Gobi Desert provide layer for millet agriculture. 3) Shen-Nong/Henji = "Givers of Agriculture" to the people Cishan and Peiligang were early millet farming cultures. 7000-5000 BC. Storage pits indicated excess food. Good strains = more food

Harappa

Major Indus Urban Center, though little evidence of hierarchy. Covered 150 Hectares. Located in modern Pakistan. Consisted of several mounded sectors. Massive foundations of eroded brick walls and traces of large rick gateways noted around mounds.

Mohenjo-Daro

Major Indus Urban Center. Covered 250 Hectares. Also fortified by walls. Major Harappan structures located at Mohenjo-Daro. Sectors divided into blocks by streets and alleys, some of which were paved with stone. Some structures had two stories and were made of baked mud bricks. More spacious dwellings (high-status individuals/merchants) common.

Uxmal

Maya city in Puuc region. Represents city's dominant architectural style. Buildings noted for size. Follow typical Puuc style, with smooth, low walls that open on ornate friezes based on representations of typical Maya huts. (Pyramid of the Magician important from online)

Megaliths (Menhirs, Dolmen, Henges)

Menhir = Freestanding large slab of rock, 3-15 feet high. Largest concentration in Carnac, France. 3000 members, perhaps for astronomical purposes. Henges = Circular enclosures Dolmen = Above-ground caves. Stonehenge in England built from stones transported from Whales. Possibly built using Scaffold System, and probably served as solar observatory.

TIME STOP 3500 BC

Mesopotamia --> Uruk (complex civilization) Europe--> Farming spill spreading north and west, displacing hunter/gatherers Africa--> Bantu speakers in West Africa not yet migrated to the south/east East Asia--> Larger farming villages Mesoamerica, North/South America: Small farming villages

Key points on Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia was the earliest area where states developed, but was not responsible for all subsequent state formation as previously believed. Writing developed earliest in Mesopotamia from clay bullae. Economic record keeping purposes. Eridu was the earliest large settlement in southern Mesopotamia Uruk was the first monumental urban center in the world. Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Indus valley Civilization had intense interaction in first few millenia BC.

Angkor/Khmer Empire

Mid 15th century. Capital was Angkor Wat. Founded by Jayavarman II, who initially ruled at Mahendraparvata before building Angkor Wat. Angkor (500k-1M population): 600 sq mi. Ill-defined boundaries. Approx 880Ad. Civilization was powered by rice agriculture --> water dependence. Reservoirs were important for irrigation and complex canal systems. Rulers were at the center of political, religious society at Khmer.

Tiwanaku (400-1100 AD)

Middle Horizon Site Southwest of Lake Titicaca -- 800km long. High altitude -- 3000m up. Titicaca means Grey/Discolored Puma Associated with altiplano region. Ceremonial site of Tiwanaku associated with Akapana Period. Huge stones dragged over 100km away to build structures. Condor = symbol of the Andes. Falls apart 1100 AD Altiplano Economy: Camelid pastoralism and cultivation of hardy grains/tubers supplemented by reclamation for agriculture of waterlogged lands adjacent to Titicaca. Long Distance trade connections, with economic colonies in Pacific Coast to west and tropical forested zones to the east.

La Venta

Middle Preclassic (1000-400BC) Pyramids of clay, sculpted monuments, Lagunas (depressions where dirt was removed for construction of Earthen Mounds). Massive offerings at La Venta. (La Venta Offering 4 significant)

The Aztecs

Migration of the Mexica (story by Aztecs) Huitzilopochtli departs from Aztlan. Aztecs in exile, end up in Colhuacan. Begin to "dredge" Colhuacan lake and found Tenochtitlan. Founded where they saw Eagle eating Serpent on a Cactus. Triple Alliance: Texcoco, Tenochtitlan, Tlacopan in alliance in Dummy State under Tlacopan. Tenochtitlan uses Tlacopan, Texcoco as "puppets". Lake Texcoco --> territory conquered around this area. Ahuitzotl expanded empire. Con't conquer Tlaxcala. Ever year go to Tlaxcala to get sacrifies. Sacrifice extremely significant. Done in name of Huizilipochtli. Aztecs fall under Motechzoma Xocoyotzin (1502-1520) due to arrival of Cortez.

Chichen Itza

Most significant late Maya center in Yucatan. Puuc style limestone masonry. Built near canotes - natural sinkhole wells. Chac mools common. Mythology: founded after arrival of T. Quetzalcoatl from Tula arriving in Yucatan in 987 AD. Maya Blue common: blue pigment made by fusing extract from indigo with a fine white clay.

Nile River

Nile flows South to North. Therefore, Upper Egypt is SOUTH Egypt, and Lower Egypt is NORTH Egypt. Significant because population of Egypt (and Northeast Africa) lives along the Nile River. River was closely tied to life in Egypt, as it flooded regularly (planned flooding; planting seasons; harvesting season). Power was easily centralized since all the population lived along the Nile.

Key Points on North America

North American archaeology a sub-discipline of archaeology. Historically divided into 10 "culture areas", placing heavy spatial emphasis on archaeological study. Different levels of complexity emerged in various areas of North America. Southwest was the gateway to Mesoamerica and had complex cultures that adopted corn agriculture. Eastern Woodlands home to numerous moundbuilder traditions, including Adena, Hopewell, and Mississippian.

Kiuic

Northern Maya site. Associated with Late and Terminal Mayan Classic Periods. Abandoned AD 880.

Potlach

Northwest Coast. Rank society significant. Groups of people getting together and giving things away. The wealthiest were most respected since they had the most to offer. Maintained ranks by showing ability to give wealth. Also significant if had nothing to give. Got to the point where so many people had so many things that started burning excess goods. U.S. made it illegal.

Zoser (Djoser)

Old Kingdom (2686BC-2181BC) Pyramids built only between 100-200 year period. Zoser's Pyramid at Saqqarah was an important first step in the construction of monumental pyramids in Egypt. Centerpiece of his funeral complex. Stepped pyramid. Stepped pyramids ultimately evolved into smooth-faced pyramids. Pyramids were built to legitimate power. Indicates that rulers had power, ability to alter landscape, and the resources to build them.

Palermo Stone

One of seven surviving fragments of steele known as Royal Annals of Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt. .Contained list of kings and pharaohs of Egypt from first dynasty. Six horizontal bands (registers) of hieroglyphs listed the names.

Erlitou Culture

Part of Legendary Xia Dynaisty. 1900-1500 BC) - Archaeological culture. Erlitou existed, regardless of existence of Xia Dynasty Four tiers of society = centralization, stratified urban centers. 1) Capital City 2) Regional Capitals 3) Large/Small Villages 4) Hamlets = Small (5-10 family) Farming Villages

Cahokia

Part of Mississippian Tradition (750-1550 AD) Cahokia: spread of Mississippian sociopolitical organization (unknown whether full-blown state) Primary crop was Flint Corn. Platform Mounds (Monks Mound = largest structure before European Conquest) Largest prehistoric community north of Meixco. Fertile soils, diverse environmental lands. Fully agricultural inhabitants first settled in shallow rectangular basins. At its peak, Cahokia had over 100 earthen mounds and a population of 10,000-20,000. Area approximately 13 sq km.

Mimbres Tradition

Pottery tradition associated with Mogollon Classic Period: Bowls, pots, etc.

Hierarchical States

Power Distributed to the levels with the fewest people in them. This includes (religious, political, economic, and military power). Levels include Pharaoh, priests/nobles, traders/artisans/storekeepers, Servants

El Parasio

Preceramic site on West Coast of South America. Agriculture was present; crops grown along the coast. (This refutes maritime food dependency.) Evidence of structures containing multiple rooms

Key Points on Preclassic, Classic Maya

Preclassic Maya heavily influenced by Olmec and other contemporaneous cultures. Late preclassic --> monumental construction and population explosion (El Mirador) End of Preclassic - Abandonment of Many Prominent SItes Tikal emerged as major state by end of Late Preclassic "Arrival of Strangers" (Teotihuacan --> Tiak) in AD 378 changed course of Maya history Classic Period dominated by Tikal vs. Calakmul rivalrly and system of allianced Maya city-states each had their own rulers and while some rulers were subservient to others, there was never a territory akin to "Maya Empire".

Cuneiform

Pressed onto tablets. Ideographical writing system with roughly 1500 symbols. Purpose was generally for economic record keeping. Writing was controlled by elites/priests who want to maintain control.

Hatshepsut

Queen early 1400s BC. Expansion of trade networks, associated with multiple construction projects. Those who followed tried to erase her legacy.

Cult of Quetzalcoatl (K'uk'ulkan)

Quetzalcoatl --> light VS. Tezcatlipoca --> Darkness. Mythology: Tezcatlipoca gets T. Quetzalcoatl drunk, to the point where he sleeps with sister. T Quetzalcoatl and followers flee to Chichen Itza.

Puuc Region

Region in Yucatan, Mexico. Where Kuiuc and sites including Escalera al Cielo are.

Key Points on Southeast Asia

Rice farming introduced 2500 BC Small agricultural settlements developed during late neolithic, Bronze Age. Co Loa (~300BC - 100AD) in Northern Vietnam was one of earliest state-level societies in Southeast Asia Angkorian/Khmer Kingdom (and later empire) founded 802 AD, with capital in central Cambodia. Angkor was known for its elaborate system of water management, its complex religious system, and its incredibly vivid bas-relief panels. Angkor was abandoned due to a combination of factors, but research indicates major droughts and over-complex water system as especially potent factors.

Kivas (Anasazi)

Ritual Houses associated with Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) Group. Apparent in Pueblo I (750-900 AD). Semi-subterranean ritual houses to preserve secrecy of rituals underground. Pueblo I was dry. People congregated in settlements. Intense irrigation. Pueblo II (900 AD) More rainfall. People take advantage of rainfall. Chaco Canyon (Pueblo Bonito): copper, turquoise, Macaws -- imported goods. Dendrochronology useful due to dry, preserved wood. Chacoan Regional System: either large, centralized religious system, or economic system. Mega-droughts (1100 AD) -- may have reached carrying capacity of sights, too. Pueblo III Cliff-dwelling in New Mexico Area. Domestication of Turkeys. Decrease in Rainfall -- intense farming of small patches.

Jayavarman VII

Rules Ankgor from Angkor Thom. Associted with converting entire empire to Buddhism. Collapse of Angkor was during the rule of Jayavarman VII: Attacks on Angkor. Jayavarman VII dies 1298, height of power, although Angkor survives until 1431. Megadrought/intense monsoons (intensely changing climate) may have led to collapse.

Akkadian Empire

Sargon of Akkad the first full-blown emperor. Sends daughter Enheduana to be priestess at Ur to control both North and South Mesopotamia, including Uruk. Empire lasted only ~200 years, but first evidence of extraterritorial expansion.

Xianrendong and Yuchanyan Caves

Sites associated with earliest ceramics (ever). 16000-18000BC

Maya E-Groups

Sites used to track the sun to know when to plant.

Calakmul

Snake Kingdom (kan = snake). Rival city with TIkal. Tikal was under Calalmuc rule until 8th century, when Jasaw Chan K'amlil I takes power back.

Copan

Southeast Maya Lowlands. Volcanic carvings. Altar Q: 16 kings of Copan in Silhouette form. Says first king walked 153 days from Teotihuacan to Copan and gained legitimacy this way. Copan was likely abandoned due to environmental factors. Last Maya Ballcourt at Copan. Rapid Abandonment: evidence from quickly abandoned monument.

The Olmec Horizon

Specific art styles, monuments, curved stone alters, etc. Wire jaguar - representation of supernatural human figure that's half jaguar, half human. Meaning somewhat unknown (possibly represents Olmec conquest/early empire) Horizon = widely distributed set of cultural traits/artifact assemblages where distribution and chronology suggest they spread rapidly. Composed of artifacts associated with shared symbolic or ritual system.

Key Points on Basin of Mexico

Teotihuacan was the largest New World city of its era and had influence throughout Mesoamerica. We don't know what language was spoken at Teotihuacan nor do we have any other name for inhabitants other than "Teotihuacanos" Toltecs eventually won as heirs to Teotihuacan's power, establishing Tula as capital. Aztecs = last Chichimec (Nahua) groups to migrate into Basin in 13th century. Aztec Archaeology highlights the importance of the ethnohistorical record in Mesoamerican Archaeology.

Key Points on Maya Postclassic

There are still ongoing chronological debates, but site histories are generally being moved up to an earlier timeframe bringing Chichen Itza more in line with Terminal Classic timelines elsewhere There is increase interregional trade during this time period, including greater focus on sea trade. There is evidence of central Mexican influence at CI but it is unclear whether this is a result of direct intervention or trade/communication of ideas Researchers use a combination of ethnohistoric and archaeological data for this period Mayapan was the last great Maya city - after this, the Maya lived in smaller sociopolitical units, which is how things stood at the time of Spanish arrival.

Key Points about Olmecs

There was great diversity in both environment and settlement patters in the Olmec Lowlands. The Olmec, and especially their rulers, were the first civilization to formalize aspects of the Mesoamerican cosmovision. San Lorenzo was the largest site in all of Mesoamerica during the Early Preclassic During the Middle Preclassic, La Venta became the largest center in Olman, but did not control the entire region. We see a return to more hierarchical society during the Late Preclassic when Tres Zapotes became the largest Olmec Site.

Tikal in Late Preclassic

Tikal was a Maya city in the rain forest of Guatemala. Slash and burn used for farming. omst excavated structures are associated with the Classic Period, the era of most pronounced construction activity in Maya Lowlands in general. Temple of Great Jaguar located at Tikal Tikal the largest and most important Early Classic city in Maya region. Rivals with Calakmul and Caracol, who in 500AD defeated Tikal's ruler. For 120 years, Calakmul and its political partners dominated the Maya Region. In AD 695, Tikal regained sovereignty from Calakmul, under king Jasaw Chan K'amlil I. Why did Tikal survive and El Mirador not? Climate and water management likely explain why. Tikal's survival gives it history, legitimacy. "Yax Ehh' Xook" Begins decline in 800AD. Abandoned a century later.

Tula

Toltec capital. Modeled after Teotihuacan. Contains caryatids and columns. Remains of Chac Mool indicates sacrifice. Tzompantly skull racks also common. Capital = architectural masterpiece known as Tollan. After the fall of Teotihuacan, no single dominant community emerges to control the Basin of Mexico. Tula rises quietly in this politically fragmented landscape. max size - population 40-60,000 people. Loses influence by 1200 AD. Partially abandoned by 1200 AD, though extent of collapse is unknown. Continuity in cosmovision: Tula, like Teotihuacan, has pyramid of the Sun and Moon.

Huemac and Chapultepec

Toltec city states

Toltecs and Nahuas

Toltecs taught Nahuas about elite ideology and rule. (Tlatoani and pipiltin)

Xocnaceh

Trading metropolis. Artifacts from Veracruz (700 mi away), Guatemala. Changes Theory that Northern Maya was more established after Mayan refugees from the South arrived.

Mesopotamia

Translates to "between two rivers" (Tigris, Euphrates) The "Fertile Crescent" of Southwest Asia: earliest plant/animal domestication, earliest development of state-level institutions. Ain Mallaha --> Natoufian Era (Transition hunter/gatherer to domestication Abu Hureyra (Syria) --> full evidence of domestication. Transition from Natoufian to Early Neolithic. Catalhoyuk --> Large agricultural developments. Group living. Cattle = main food source.

Nomes

Unified Egypt (beginning with Narmer) broken into multiple provinces called NOMES along the branches of the Nile River Delta.

Pachuca Obsidian

Used for trade, knives, others tools, ornamentally in masks, militarily for weapons. Common throughout Mesoamerica.

Indus Script

Very different from early Mesopotamian Script. Inscriptions are short. Over 400 symbols have been identified but none have been deciphered. Inscriptions, including both writing and pictures, are found on small copper tablets and potsherds.

Uruk

World's first monumental urban center. Viable irrigation, agriculture, first full-blown writing system in the world. 3500 BC Anu Ziggurat at Uruk. Important to note that Uruk had political challengers to monarchs. Craft production with illustrations: challengers to monarchs. Uruk pottery: Beveled-rim bowls. URUK EXCHANGE: Trade from Arabian Peninsula into Mesopotamia. Gold, etc. WHEELED CARTS allow for transfer/movement of goods.

Early writing (Egypt)

Writing developed for state/religious purposes. Evolve from pictographs into hieroglyphs. Limited accounts of writing since papyrus doesn't last well. Writing was not extended to the public.

Clay bullae

Writing on round clay figures to indicate what was contained inside. Writing was purely for administrative record keeping purposes.