Introduction for Chapter 11

11 The Americas 2500 B.C.E.–1500 C.E.

> What similarities and differences were there between the societies of the Americas and other premodern societies around the world? Chapter 11 examines the development of American societies prior to contact with other world civilizations. Ancient America was home to diverse and sophisticated societies. At times these societies grew into vast empires. In Mesoamerica — the region stretching from present-day Nicaragua to California — the dense urban centers of Maya, Teotihuacan, Toltec, and Mexica city-states and empires featured great monuments, temples, and complex urban planning. Roadways and canals extended trade networks that reached from South America to the Great Lakes region of North America. These achievements were rivaled only in the Andes Mountains of South America. The technological, agricultural, and engineering innovations of ancient Andean civilizations allowed people to make their difficult mountain terrain a home rather than a boundary.

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Moche Portrait Vessel A Moche artist captured the commanding expression of a ruler in this ceramic vessel. The Moche were one of many cultures in Peru that developed technologies that were simultaneously useful and beautiful, including brightly colored cloth, hanging bridges made of fiber, and intricately fit stone walls. (Private Collection/Photo © Boltin Picture Library/The Bridgeman Art Library)

LearningCurve

After reading the chapter, use LearningCurve to retain what you’ve read.

ca. 40,000–13,000 B.C.E. ca. 300–650 C.E.
Initial human migration to the Americas Peak of Teotihuacan’s influence
ca. 5000 B.C.E. ca. 600–900 C.E.
Intensification of agriculture Peak of Maya culture
ca. 2000 B.C.E. ca. 1050–1250 C.E.
Earliest mound building in North America Construction of mounds at Cahokia
ca. 1500–300 B.C.E. ca. 1325 C.E.
Olmec culture Construction of Aztec city of Tenochtitlan begins
ca. 1200 B.C.E. ca. 1428–1521 C.E.
Emergence of Chavín culture in the Andes Aztec Empire dominates Mesoamerica
ca. 100–800 C.E. ca. 1438–1532 C.E.
Moche culture Inca Empire dominates the Andes