United States History Student Edition

03 Early Peoples of the Americas

The Great Civilizations of Middle and South America GUIDING QUESTION What do we know about the first highly developed societies in the Americas? Centuries before the Europeans arrived in what they called the “New World,” great civilizations (sih•vuh•luh•ZAY•shuhnz), or highly developed societies, thrived in Middle America—the area that is today Mexico and the region to the south—and South America. The largest and most advanced of these were the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca. Each of these civilizations controlled an area that covered hundreds of square miles, included millions of people, and lasted for several centuries. They created spectacular works of art and developed advanced tools and methods for tracking time, counting, and writing. The Olmec and the Maya Along the Gulf Coast of what is now Mexico, a people called the Olmec (OHL•mehk) flourished between 1200 and 800 B.C.E. The Olmec built stone houses, monuments, and drainage systems, and their farmers grew food for thousands of people. They are perhaps best known for their gigantic statues—stone heads up to 11 feet (3.4 m) tall. For reasons that are not fully understood, the Olmec civilization declined . Yet the Olmec had a strong influence on the cultures that followed. civilization highly developed society declined became less or fewer

READING STRATEGY Analyzing Key Ideas and Details As you read, make a separate web diagram to record facts about each of the peoples discussed.

Technological Advances

This huge monument is located at La Venta, an ancient Olmec settlement in Mexico. It is one of several carved stone heads, which weigh as much as 18 tons each.

FLORIDA BENCHMARKS

• SS.8.G.1.2 • SS.8.G.2.1 • SS.8.G.4.1 • SS.8.E.3.1

Carlos S. Pereyra/agefotostock/Alamy Stock Photo

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The First Americans