Changes

In Central America (including present-day Mexico), Mesoamerica (“middle America”) developed a civilization known as the Olmec (“mother civilization”) beginning in about 1200 B.C., subsequent to more primitive societies in what is called the Archaic period (2000 B.C.).  By then maize (corn) was a plentiful crop, and it was grown along the fertile rivers.  Massive stone-hewn sculptures of warriors with helmets can be found in the tropical forests off the Gulf of Mexico in eastern Mexico, San Lorenzo and La Venta.  The civilization lasted until 100 B.C., and used a numerical system having base 20 and a 365-day calendar that included 260 days of religious ritual.  Religious ceremonies were prominent in this culture.

In Central America (including present-day Mexico), Mesoamerica (“middle America”) developed a civilization known as the Olmec (“mother civilization”) beginning in about 1200 B.C., subsequent to more primitive societies in what is called the Archaic period (2000 B.C.).  By then maize (corn) was a plentiful crop, and it was grown along the fertile rivers.  Massive stone-hewn sculptures of warriors with helmets can be found in the tropical forests off the Gulf of Mexico in eastern Mexico, San Lorenzo and La Venta.  The civilization lasted until 100 B.C., and used a numerical system having base 20 and a 365-day calendar that included 260 days of religious ritual.  Religious ceremonies were prominent in this culture.

In South America, Peru was home to agriculture-based civilizations on the altiplano (highlands) of the Andes mountains, and also in coastal valleys.  They had irrigation systems and built roads and bridges.  They used the horse-like llama and created pottery and textiles using cotton.  They lived in stone and adobe structures built perhaps between 3000 and 2000 B.C., and constructed large ceremonial centers beginning in 900 B.C., the most famous of which is called “Chavin de Huantar.”

In South America, Peru was home to agriculture-based civilizations on the altiplano (highlands) of the Andes mountains, and also in coastal valleys.  They had irrigation systems and built roads and bridges.  They used the llama (a relative of the camel) as a beast of burden and created pottery and textiles using cotton.  They lived in stone and adobe structures built perhaps between 3000 and 2000 B.C., and constructed large ceremonial centers beginning in 900 B.C., the most famous of which is called “Chavin de Huantar.”

In general, the Americas did not develop civilizations as advanced as ancient Europe and Asia.  Hunting and gathering were easier in the Americas, and there was less reason to settle down into an agricultural society that could generate a surplus and enable workers to spend time on other tasks, such as building cities.  The Americas did not have use of the wheel, the plow, glass, iron, steel or horses until brought over by European explorers.

In general, the Americas did not develop civilizations as advanced as ancient Europe and Asia.  Hunting and gathering were easier in the Americas, and there was less reason to settle down into an agricultural society that could generate a surplus and enable workers to spend time on other tasks, such as building cities.  The Americas did not have use of the wheel, the plow, glass, iron, steel or horses until brought over by European explorers.