Anthropology 150 Exam 3
What and when is the site Nakbe? What is the significance of this site for understanding the emergence of the Maya state?
Nakbe is a small farming settlement from the middle-late preclassic in 1000 BC, in the Yucatan peninsula. It was a large settlement between 600-300 BCE and had major construction from 400-200 BCE. There were large temples and city planning with roads, indicating a centralized power controlling a large labor force. We also see household inequality through the possession of shell and jade. Stalae 1 found at Nakbe seems to depict either deities or rulers. Nakbe declines in the Late preclassic (200-150bce) while El Mirador gains power.
What Makes Mesoamerica different from other parts of the world we have discussed?
No large herd animals • No metal tools (e.g. bronze/iron) - Metallurgy à jewelry/decorative objects • No wheeled vehicles = Human Labor • Transition to agriculture different = Domestication without settled villages or ceramics
Dholavira, India
One of the 5 largest Indus Valley sites in a coastal zone along the Arabian sea that is rocky and has limited fresh water supplies. Dholavira likely profited from its location near the sea. Evidence from city planning reveals that it was composed of different social classes. "Here you have meticulous planning, monumental and aesthetic architecture, a large stadium, and an efficient water-management system,"
What was life like at Mehgarh during Period 1a?
Period 1A lasted from 6500-6000 BCE during the pre-pottery neolithic period. They had square or rectangular mud brick houses with plenty of room for storage, indicating some reliance on grain. However, they still relied heavily on wild animals like Gazelle, deer, pig, sheep, goat, cattle, and water buffalo. From impressions in mud brick, we can tell that they had domesticated wheat, but not quite Barley. They also had fruits like Jujube and Dates. They carved female figures from clay. Their burials are mostly egalitarian, burials between houses in shaft graves. Burial goods like jewelry indicate specialization, and foreign materials like shells indicate trade routes. A burial with baby goats might show domestication.
What new developments are seen as we move into the Integration Era and emergence of states?
Planned towns - NS-EW Streets - Drains - Settlement expansion over time • Craft technology - Specialized areas and within houses - Beads, metal, jewelry, ceramics, textiles Other technological developments - Wheeled vehicles - Proto-writing - Stamp seals • Social stratification - Occupational specialists - Differences in adornment
Why do some archaeologists think a large population did not live year-round at Caral?
Plant remains suggest there wasn't enough surplus produced to support a large population
What is an example of proto-writing seen at Harappa?
Proto-writing can be seen in makers marks on the pottery.
Although the Inca did not have writing they did use ____as a form of record keeping.
Quipu knotted cords
What is Sackbe?
Sackbe is a raised paved road built by the Mayas
What new features are found at Teotihuacan as the population expands during the first millennium CE?
• 200-400 CE • More than 100k residents? • City planning • Neighborhoods and apartment complexes • 400-600 CE • 8.5 square miles • 125,000 people?
Why are long carnelian beads associated with wealth?
becuase they would have taken a lot of effort and skill to make. They were easy to break also, and were made with ernestite stone drills
What is the evidence for meeting preconditions for an emerging state at Mehrgarh?
$Agriculture: - Shift towards reliance on domesticated plants/animals $Emerging technologies: - Increasing craft specialization ***Pottery ***Bead production $Social/Economic networks --- Long-distance trade connections ---Stone/shell resources $Social stratification/specialization - Occupational specialization (crafts) - No clear evidence for hierarchy
What notable events happen during the early phases of Teotihuacan's growth?
1 - 150 CE: Urban nucleation and growth • Population expansion • Avenue of the Dead planned • Pyramid of the Sun • 7.5 square miles, approx. 90,000 people 150 - 200 CE: Expansion • Pyramid of the Moon constructed and modified • Ciudadela • Temple of the Feathered Serpent
Localization Era of Indus Valley Dates
1900-1300 BCE
When was the Integration era?
2600-1900 BC
Integration Era(states) of Indus Valley Dates
2600-1900 BCE
Harappa period 2 dates?
2800-2600 BCE
Regionalization Era of Indus Valley Dates
5000-2600 BCE
Early food producing era/neolithic of Indus Valley Dates
7000-4800 BCE
Dholavira, India and Lothal, India
???
Mesoamerica
A historical and cultural area in the Americas extending from central Mexico to Northern Central America
Sraswati (Ghagger Hakra)
A now dry river which previously supported the Indus valley civilization. It's dyring up has been postulated to have been a potential cause of the decline of the Indus civilization
Lothal, india
A south Eastern city of the Indus culture. It has grid planning and a citadel adn is similar to other Indus cities. There is a special structure with perhaps anchors located outside, indicating that it could be a dock.
The avenue of the dead
A street just off the alignment of North and South that runs through the city of Teotihuacan. It leads towards the pyramid of the moon.
When do scholars think maize began to be domesticated
A. About 7000 BCE Microbotanical evidence B. About 4300 BCE Oldest Corn cobs D. During the Archaic period 9500-2500 BCE
Cloth was important to the Inca because:
A. It was used in alliance building B. It served as a symbol of prestige/status C. It was used ceremonially D. It was used as a form of payment
Maya writing can be found on.
A. Pottery B. Stone stelae C. Paper books
When and Where is Mehrgarh?
An important early food producing era/neolithic site of the Indus valley located in present day Pakistan. Dates from 6000-4800 BCE
What is a stalae?
An upright stone slab or column typically bearing a commemorative inscription or relief design, often serving as a gravestone
Chronological terms used in Mesoamerica
Archaic: 9500-2500 BCE Preclassic/Formative: 2500 BCE - 250 CE - Early Preclassic: 2500-1000 BCE - Middle Preclassic: 1000-400 BCE - Late Preclassic: 400 BCE - 250 CE • Classic: - Early Classic: 250 - 600 CE - Late Classic: 600 - 800 CE • Postclassic: 800 - 1500s (Spanish contact)
This site shows evidence for the shift from hunting to herding/domesticating camelids over several thousand years:
Asana
Why do scholars think there is a link between the Pyramid of the Moon and Cerro Gordo?
Because The avenue of the dead leading to the pyramid is off of axial allignment with north south by just 15.5 degrees, in order to perfectly alligned with cerro gordo. The temple also mimics the shape of the hill, and allows for a full veiw of the hill dominating the city.
What happens as the Indus Civilization declines? What are theories about the decline of the Indus?
Breakdown of Indus integration ---Localization Era (1900 - 1300 BCE) • Major cities abandoned • But not all! Parts of civilization persist • Why? • "Aryan" Invasions are stated by power groups in India, but there's not strong evidence • Changing long-distance trade networks due to the decline of other major civilizations at this time. • Changing climate - Drought and drying of the rivers • probably due to Multiple factors and not unified across region
What is the importance of irrigation in the Basin?
Canal construction would have been necessary in the area to move towards agricultural surplus. The Basin area had access to a series of springs that could have facilitated this. This would lead to population growth, and also indicates some sort of power that led these constructions.
What new developments do we see at Chichen Itza? What is the significance of these developments?
Chichen Itza is located in the Puuc region, and was a Major Maya Center from 1000 - 1250 CE. There was a New Puuc architectural style - Column pillars at Chichen Itza were a new architectural development which allowed for a massive enclosed area under a flat roof. - Mosaic facades at Uxmal - Sacbe (raised paved roads) El Castillo was cosmologically aligned, and on the equinox the feathered serpant would "descend" through the shadows on the stairway, indicating the beginning of the rainy season.
What is notable about Teotihuacan compared to other states we've studied in this class?
Clear authority and stratification, but no clear rulers/leaders • No writing? • Largest city in the Americas • Cosmopolitan and diverse • Apartment compounds and non-elites • Had a wide influence
What are some common features of Maya cities?
Common features: - Regal-ritual centers - Pyramid-temple - Royal palaces - Public plazas: Used for rituals and market sales of Exchanged obsidian, jade, serpentine, feathers and other goods • Altars and stelae - Tombs for rulers Dispersed population (Lots of rural Farmers. • Cities: - Political center - Economic center - Ritual center
What is the Ciudadela and what are important features of this complex?
Cuidadela is the citadel of teotihuacan. the Ciudadela was the parade ground, religious center, and city-state capital. The focus of the complex was the large Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent
Why did the Maya collapse? What does it look like?
Dated royal monuments decline after 760 CE - Large scale construction stops - Kings ≠ elaborate tombs - Population decline/abandonment This Happens primarily in southern lowlands. The Northern Yucatan (Puuc region) still inhabited. The Maya did not disappear - Existing system of hierarchy/rulership collapsed
What major factor led to the downfall of the Wari?
Drought
What new developments are seen at Mehrgarh in during the later periods (1b and 2)?
During period 1B (6000-5500 bce) we see developments like Ceramics and domestication. By 5500 BC they had less reliance on wild animals, and used sheep/goats and humped cattle. We can also bead production with the use of stone drills, and perhaps limestone inlay in wood. They had long distance trading goods as evidenced by foreign shells. During Period 2 (5500-4800 BCE) we see the use of copper and cotton textiles. By 4800 bc they were making fine ceramics
How do jewelry and crafts show stratification and differentiation in Indus cities?
Everyone wore bangles, but the raw materials varied. This was likely dependent on access to wealth. Terracotta bangles were likely for everyday or low class use. Shell bangles were thinner and more delicate, likely not good for manual labor. Stoneware or Faience (glazed ceramic ware) bangles indicate control of advanced technology probably related to wealth or status. Carnelian beads were long and would take intensive labor to craft.
Why is San Jose Mogote significant?
Evidence for an early farming community
Maya cities were densely populated
False
The Indus Valley Civilization emerged due to influence from Mesopotamia.
False, archaeology shows local developments
What is the Harappan package?
Features that are shared between many Indus cities/towns - Planned cities • Walls, public monuments, sanitation - Stamp seals with Indus script - Unique sets of artifacts (including jewelry)
How did Harappa expand during Period 2?
Harappa expanded naturally, over time. However, the streets are oriented. The settlement expanded into two mounds. The city also had drains and specialized craft areas/zoning
What is Harappa? When is the Regionalization Era at Harappa?
Harappa is an important regionalization era site from the Indus Valley civilization located in modern day Pakistan. The regionalization Era is from 3700-2800 BC.
How did Harappa expand during the Integration Era?
Harrapa expanded by 150 hectares (half a square mile)
Who was domesticating these crops?
Microbands were small family units who likely domesticated squash because of how easy it is to care for. The squash could have made a food surplus allowing more family units to combine and become macro bands. By 3000-2000 bce they would have had semi sedentary base camps and relied on both wild and domesticated crops.
What and when is El Mirador? What is the significance of this site for understanding the emergence of the Maya state?
In El Mirador we also see monumental architecture through temple pyramid construction. It formed during the late preclassic from 300-200 BCE. It was a Mayan Metropolis with a high occupation level. El Mirador shows that there was complex sophisticated architecture during the late preclassic period, which was previously unthinkable. It was the first state level society in the western hemisphere.
When did the process of domestication begin in Mesoamerica? What plants were being domesticated?
It began during the archaic period (9500-2500) when Squash, and Bottle Gourds from Africa were domesticated.
What was Indus city-planning like?
It included a grid system, Streets that indicate the movement of people and goods, there were large public buildings, and a concern to cleanliness. May cities include a higher mounded citadel area and a lower town. Walled areas were made of standardized mud bricks.
Why did Teotihuacan become a major center?
It may have been due to migration caused by the volcano. It also had a high quality of living.They also had natural srpings which facilitated agriculture and irrigation. Their diverse obsidean sources and manufacturing systems would have been attractive economically, and were the source of long distance trade and connections. They had rare green obsidian.
What do we know about the domestication of maize?
Maize was domesticated from its wild ancestor teosinte. We have micro-botanical evidence of its domestication in the form of fossilized pollen from 6700BCE. The oldest known cobs are from 4300 BCE in Guila Naquitz Cave, Oaxaca Mexico. We don't clearly know the process but the crop became an important resource and has ideological significance. It was a very time intensive crop.
Difference between Mayan and Maya?
Maya describes the people and culture, Mayan describes the language
What do we know about Maya writing? What did people write on? What kind of information did Maya writing record?
Mesoamerican writing may have come from the Olmecs and their Cascajal block. The Cascajal Block is a tablet-sized writing slab in Mexico, made of serpentinite, which has been dated to the early first millennium BCE, incised with hitherto unknown characters that may represent the earliest writing system in the New World. Early Maya writing is found as far back as 200 BCE in preclassic texts at San Bartolo, and is still mostly undecipherable. it is unclear where and when the writing first developed. There are clearly multiple writing systems that developed independently. Maya writing is preserved through public writing, portable objects, and the survival of 4 precontact books. It mainly records dates of historical events, gods, and rulers. It does not seem to be focused on administration, but instead on the accomplishments of rulers.
What and when is San Jose Mogote? How does this site help us understand life in early farming villages in Mesoamerica?
San Jose Magote is an early preclassic village from 1600 from when there would have been widespread sedentary villages. It would have been continuously inhabited from around 1400 BCE. It is in the valley of the Oaxaca region and has the earliest pottery in the region. They relied on Maize, Avocado and wild plants. They also relied on wild animals like deer, rabbit, and quails. They were the largest village in the region from 1400-1150 bce. they had small houses, and small public buildings. Their household sizes indicate an egalitarian culture. They had small hearths and used manos and metates to grind corn into tortillas. There were pits outside the houses for trash and food storage indicating food surplus. They had long distance trade connections as evidence by their obsidian trade.
How do stamp seals and the Indus script evolve in Period 2?
Stamp seals moved form geometric seals to mark goods, and evolved to become the Indus Script
What is significant about Indus city bricks?
Standardized brick sizes -1:2:4 ratio. We can see repairs in walls based on different colored clays.
Teotihuacan, Mexico
Teotihuacán is an ancient Mesoamerican city located in a sub-valley of the Valley of Mexico, located in the State of Mexico 40 kilometres (25 mi) northeast of modern-day Mexico City
Why is the Basin of Mexico ideal for agriculture? Why did people come to this area fairly late?
The Basin has rich Volcanic soils, several lakes providing irrigation. There is however a High elevation of 7000ft above sea level. People came later (1600-300BC) because they needed to adapt to this kind of environment.
How were people in the Indus cities concerned with sanitation?
The Indus cities had drains in the streets, public and private bathing areas, public wells for traders, and sump pots for collecting sewage underground. They had latrines in each house, and small jars for dipping water near them.
What is the Indus Script
The Indus script is an undeciphered script of the Indus Valley Civilization.
What is the Indus unicorn? On what artifacts is it primarily found?
The Indus unicorn is the most common motif on the stamp seals, with 65% of seals using the unicorn.
Who are the Maya
The Maya are an ethnolinguistic group in southern Mesoamerica (they share a common language)
What is the Maya Calender?
The Maya calendar is shared across mesoamerica, and the signs represent numbers. It is a 260 day calendar and it follows a 52 year cycle. The long count calendar can be correlated to our calendar and provide absolute dates. It is made up of 3 cycles, a 365 day solar year, a cycle of 20 names and a cycle of 13 numbers. There is a number which accounts for the beginning of the universe.
What is the Puuc region? Why is it significant during the Postclassic period?
The Puuc region still had cultural centers after the Maya collapse in the postclassic period.
The Basin of Mexico
The Valley of Mexico is a highlands plateau in central Mexico roughly coterminous with present-day Mexico City and the eastern half of the State of Mexico.
The Inca borrowed many of their techniques for statecraft from:
The Wari
What kinds of public buildings are seen in Indus cities?
They had public bath houses in Mohenjo Daro, particularly the "Great bath". The "granary" at Harappa a Wooden super-structure with No evidence for grain storage, might have Ritual function. At Mohenjo Daro, they also have the Great Hall. The agricultural fields were also public obviously.
Who was the Feathered Serpent?
The god of creation. A half snake half bird figure that created the heavens and the earth.
What might have been the purpose of the motifs on stamp seals? What were stamp seals used for?
The motifs might have been used to differentiate between clans and families. They likely marked ownership.
Cerro Gordo Mountain
The mountain overlooking Teotihuacan and directly behind the temple of the moon. A place of spiritual importance to the Teos', thought to give life sustaining water.
Where was the oldest ballcourt found? What is the significance of this game in Mesoamerican culture?
The oldest ball court is found in Paso De La Amada and dates to 1400 BCE. It may be related to elite culture. It was widespread across Mesoamerica, and may have been cosmologically significant to to the Maya culture. The ball court was located in the center of the city, and the object of the game was to keep the ball in motion without using hands or feet. Archaeologists theorize that the ball represented the sun and moon, and that keeping it in motion and playing the game the right way would ensure that the cycle continued and the harvest was protected. it may have indicated social stratification and the representation of defeating ones enemies.
Pyramid of the moon
The pyramid of the moon had 7 construction phases. When building a new phase, human sacrifices would be offered and built over in order to bless the new construction.
Why was the Pyramid of the Sun built in its specific location?
The pyramid of the sun was built over the top of a cave and possibly meant to represent the cave to the underworld.
What are the major temples of the ceremonial core of Teotihuacan?
The pyramid of the sun, the Pyramid of the moon, and the temple of the feathered serpent. These are all located on the avenue of the dead.
Indus River
The river flowing through the Indus Valley, which supported their civilization
What is the Temple of the Feathered Serpent (Quetzalcoatl)?
The temple of Quetzalcoatl, the serpant god. Was Constructed 200 CE, completely by human Labor! There were human sacrifices found within the building. It was built in honor of this god.
What are the three sisters?
The three sisters are the three most important crops in Mesoamerica, maize, squash, and beans
What are stamp seals in Harappa and what might they have been used for.
These stamp seals would make a positive imprint on clay, and could have been used on tags to mark the trader, or good.
What is the purpose of human and animal sacrifice at Teotihuacan? Where is evidence for this sacrifice found?
They believed that the gods had created life and that they required something back. They needed sustanance and blood was this sustanence. The human and animal sacrifices were meant to appease the gods. They are found in the phases of building of the temples, mainly the pyramid of the moon.
What was craft production like during Period 2?
They created crafts in both houses, and specialized areas. Bangles or beads could be made in the house. There were also kilns, which may make figurines. These figurines indicate textiles. There was the use of more elaborate gold and silver jewelry production.
What was life like at Harappa during the Period 1A/B?
They had wattle and daub technique mudbrick houses in square shapes oriented NS-EW. The houses had storage pits lined with clay. They had pottery, and wheeled vehicles as evidenced by children's replicas. They had textiles, jewelry and beads.
What kinds of crafts were produced at Harappa?
They produced hand built pottery, had wool and cotton textiles as we can tell by fabric impressions, they made jewelry, particularly bangles from shell or terracotta. They made beads from Steatite, agate/carnelian, lapis, amazonite, jasper. They also already had stamp seals.
What is the relationship between elites and crafts?
They seemed to have little agricultural storage in their houses, and may have been skilled craft-workers. the rulers may have gifted the elites special objects in order to form alliances.
What was the role of elites in Maya society?
They were Given titles by rulers or inherited titles Archaeologist are Unsure of bureaucracy, but know they Lived in elite residences, Served the government, and seemed to be Expert craft workers.
What/when is the site of Cuicuilco and why is it important?
This was an occupation site in the southwestern area of the basin which was occupied before 500bc. The area recieves more rainfall than th enorthern portion and would have been better for agriculture. This site was likely the Basins first major town. There was however a series of volcanic eruptions which caused a shift in power to the northern area of the basin. Inequality can clearly be seen through its monumental architecture.
What was the role of the king in Maya society?
To fulfill Important ritual duties and maintain balance in the cosmos. He had Connections with gods and ancestors. He sometimes Impersonated the gods at ceremonies. Sometimes they were actual gods. There was even an important bloodletting ritual involving the ruler.
What kind of trade contacts are seen between the Indus and other regions?
Trade contacts with Mesopotamia, the Gulf, Central Asia, and possibly China. Exportation of Indus goods and intake of crafting materials.
Maya rulers performed blood sacrifice
True
What administrative technologies are found in Indus cities? How are these related to elite control?
Walls and Gateways indicate a control movement of people and goods. Standardized Weights could have been used for trading or taxes. They are found in multiple sites especially gateways. Weights double as they go up a size. Stamp seals/scripts could have been used to differentiate families and trading clans. They also would be indicating ownership and control.
What role did warfare play in Maya society?
Warfare was not uncommon - prisoners as Sacrifices orTribute - fought for more Territory - Fight enemies
Who are the people in control in Indus cities? What is the evidence?
We don't completely know who the rulers were. No written texts (that we can read) - Few depictions of rulers Mainly variations of - Some people had wealth (burials, houses) - Some possibilities from Mohenjo-daro.... • Import ancestors or clan leaders?
What developments do we see in the Preclassic that points towards the emergence of Maya kingdoms and states?
We see the Earliest evidence for rulers: Stelae (depicting images of kings) We also know this from Historic texts (some dating to Classic). There was the emergence of Large urban centers such as El Mirador and Nakbe. We already saw the emergence of specialized craft or occupation through pottery at San Jose Magote, as well as food surplus (storage pits), and long distance trade connections (obsidean). At Nakbe we see monumental architecture and household inequality through the possession of shell and jade. There is also the development of the calendar system and writing.
What clues do we have to Indus ideology and religion?
they had No central temple structures • Seals might offer information on mythology, like the unicorn seal. some images simple to the sacred pipal tree or ritual alters. There are narrative tablets illustrating stories of tigers and divinities. •Connections with Hinduism possibly as shown by the swastika.
What do burials tell us about social stratification and the afterlife?
• Designated cemetery area • No clear status in burials • Few high-value artifacts • Sometimes burials disturbed
What developments do we see during the Classic period?
• Expansion and elaboration of features seen in Preclassic - Early Classic: Some writing and art • History of Preclassic - Late Classic: Much more writing and art • Elites • 45-50 separate kingdoms - City-states - Unified by ideology, writing, symbols, art, intermarriage, alliances, and trade
