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| ruled for 17 years and died around 1336 BC. He is especially noted for abandoning traditional Egyptian polytheism and introducing worship centered on the Aten, which is sometimes described as monotheistic or henotheistic. Akhenaten tried to bring about a departure from traditional religion, yet in the end it would not be accepted. After his death, traditional religious practice was gradually restored, and when some dozen years later rulers without clear rights of succession from the Eighteenth Dynasty founded a new dynasty, they discredited Akhenaten and his immediate successors, referring to Akhenaten himself as "the enemy" in archival records. Nefertiti was his wife. |
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| extensive Egyptian archaeological site that represents the remains of the capital city newly established and built by the Pharaoh Akhenaten of the late Eighteenth Dynasty (c. 1353 BC), and abandoned shortly afterwards. Located on the east-bank of the Nile River in the modern province of Minya. Only ancient Egyptian city which preserves great details of its internal plan. |
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| (Thebes, the temples of Luxor and Karnak). Early, a god of air and wind. Later, a fertility god. The Creator of all things. During the New Kingdom he became "The king of the gods". He was said to be able to assume any form he wished, with each of the other gods being one of these forms. From the eighteenth dynasty on he was a national deity. Through political means managed to assimilate many lesser gods. Depicted as a bearded Man wearing a cap surmounted by two tall plumes. A ram, a ram headed man, or a ram headed sphinx. |
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| At Tell el-Amarna in the city of Akhetaten (the horizon of Aten). The Aten gained its prominence during the reign of Akhenaten. The heretic king made an effort it seems, to unite all the peoples of Egypt under one god. He abolished the traditional cults of Egypt and replaced them with the Aten. Unfortunately for Akhenaten, the Egyptians did not wish to be united in this fashion. The king considered the Aten to be the creative force in the universe and the only god worthy of his worship. Inscriptions state that the god had no physical image, but it was represented as a solar disk projecting many downward rays that ended as human hands. Sometimes holding ankhs, the symbol of eternal life. |
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| Classic period Maya cities |
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| Classic period (AD 250-900). During the Early Classic (AD 250-600), cities throughout the Maya region were influenced by the great metropolis of Teotihuacan in the distant Valley of Mexico. At its height during the Late Classic, Tikal had expanded to have a population of well over 100,000. Tikal's great rival was Calakmul, another powerful city in the Petén Basin. In the southeast, Copán was the most important city. Palenque and Yaxchilán were the most powerful cities in the Usumacinta region. In the north of the Maya area, Coba was the most important Maya capital. Capital cities of Maya kingdoms could vary considerably in size, apparently related to how many vassal cities were tied to the capital. |
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| is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization located in the Copán Department of western Honduras, not far from the border with Guatemala. It was the capital city of a major Classic period kingdom from the 5th to 9th centuries AD. The city suffered a major political disaster in AD 738 when Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil, one of the greatest kings in Copán's dynastic history, was captured and executed by his former vassal, the king of Quiriguá. This unexpected defeat resulted in a 17-year hiatus at the city, during which time Copán may have been subject to Quiriguá in a reversal of fortunes. Population reached at least 20,000. The Copán site is known for a series of portrait stelae (carved stone monuments), most of which were placed along processional ways in the central plaza of the city and the adjoining acropolis, a large complex of overlapping step-pyramids, plazas, and palaces. The site has a large court for playing the Mesoamerican ballgame. In two parallel buildings framing a carefully dimensioned rectangle lies the court. |
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| Locality of Monte Alban located 50 miles northeast of Monte Alban. A large fortress was constructed to control traffic through the Canada and between the Valleys of Oaxaza and Tehuacan. |
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| Before 500 BC occupation was established at a site called Cuicuilco, located in the southwestern part of the Basin of Mexico. Relatively little is knows about the site. It was buried by at least 2 prehistoric lava flows and then by the urban sprawl of modern Mexico City. The scale of structures suggests this was the basin first major town. The volcanic eruptions may have helped end its prominence and shift the power of the basin to Teotihuacan. |
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| translates literally to dancers. However, clearly reprsent tortured, sacrificed war prisoners, some identified by name, and may depict leaders of competing centers and villages captured by Monte Albán. Over 300 have been found and some better preserved ones are displayed at the site’s museum. Some show removed genetalia and blood glyphs. |
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| Religious temple made of mud bricks, often times had multiple levels, ceremonies performed on top of the building, used in Nubian culture (only 3 have been discovered) |
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| Group of women who fought by horseback using primariy bow and arrows. Often times had one breast removed to help accuracy with bow. Called Amazons, these were a group of female warriors in Classical and Greek mythology. Herodotus place them in the region bordering Scythia and Sarmatia (modern territory of Ukraine). |
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| An ancient Greek historian who was born in Halicarnassus, Caria (modern day Bodrum, Turkey) and lived in the fifth century BC (c. 484 – 425 BC). He has been called the "Father of History", and was the first historian known to collect his materials systematically, test their accuracy to a certain extent and arrange them in a well-constructed and vivid narrative. The Histories—his masterpiece and the only work he is known to have produced—is a record of his "inquiry" being an investigation of the origins of the Greco-Persian Wars and including a wealth of geographical and ethnographical information. |
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| Located in the Midwest (Ohio), in existence from 100 B.C. - 400 A.D. Subsistence included variety of wild plants and animals including seeds, nuts, deer, turkeys, fish, and maize (after 100 A.D.) Burial mounds contained up to 3 people in log tombs, unequal distribution of grave goods (including gorgets: circular ornaments that are flat or convex on one side and concave on the other) indicated social distinctions were marked at death in some societies. Hopewell tradition was not a single cultural group or society; rather it was an exchange system for goods and information that connected distinct local populations. |
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| Hopewell Interaction Sphere |
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| is the complex trade network that defined this tradition. Goods that entered the network came from across the continent, however the focus was the Scioto River Valley in the south-central part of Ohio. |
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| served to mediate interaction over very great distances, often shaped like weapons, violence forbidden when pipe was being passed, considered ritual weapons, most commonly shaped as atlatl (spearthrower). Served to reduce regional differences and to promote communication and friendly contact between the disparate groups involved in the HIS. |
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| The capital city of the Kingdom of Kerma (Nubian capital), which was located in present day Egypt and Sudan. Kerma is one of the largest Nubian archaeological sites. It has produced decades of extensive excavations and research, including thousands of graves and tombs and the residential quarters of the main city surrounding the Western/Lower Deffufa. The Kerma site has been confirmed by archaeology to be at least 9,500 years old. Around 3000 BC, a cultural tradition began around Kerma. Kerma was a large urban center that was built around a large mud brick temple, known as the Western Deffufa. Some unique aspects of this culture were beautiful pottery, the importance of cattle, a system of defense, and the King's audience chamber, which bears no resemblance to any Egyptian building (it was rebuilt 10 times). |
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| (900 – 400 B.C.) Located in southern Veracruz, several platforms were built over mosaic pavements, each made of greenstone. Pyramids made of clays of different colors, platforms painted in various hues, sculpted monuments were carved from volcanic basalt. Run by Olmec rulers, contained lagunas used for ritual bathing, occupied by elites along with lower-status people. |
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| Mesoamerican numerical system |
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| Base 20 numeral system. Not used much for keeping track of goods, mainly used to tell time. (See google doc) |
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| Called tlachtli, ritual game with symbolic and political importance, played with a solid rubber ball, team game with different rules from place to place. Sometimes used stone rings as goals, I-shaped ball courts with stone walls. Very rough sport using a 5 lb. ball, must be kept in motion without using hands or knees so hips, knees and elbows were used, injuries frequent. Losing team was often offered as a sacrifice. |
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| Mesoamerican staple crops |
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Maize (most important crop, arrived in Tehuacan Valley in 5000 B.C., used to grind into flour), Squash (second most important, cultivated and domesticated before maize in 10,000 years ago), Pumpkin, Bottle gourd (forms of squash), Beans.
“Three Sisters” – Maize, beans, and squash.
Many other plants were first cultivated in Mesoamerica; tomatoes, avocados, guavas, chili peppers, manioc, agave, and prickly pear were all cultivated as additional food resources, while rubber trees and cotton plants were useful for making cultural products like rubber balls and clothing. Another culturally important plant was the cacao. Cacao beans were used as money, and later, the beans were used for making another valuable product, chocolate. |
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| was one of the main successful towns in the flat valley of Oaxaca. First occupied in 1400 BCE. Had a religious building on top of a 15m hilltop. In 500 BCE San Jose Mogote, was abandoned for Monte Alban which was built on a cut off mountain top. “Danzantes” a.k.a. dancers which were castrated prisoners representing military strength were first produced in San Jose Mogote. |
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| unified Upper Egypt in 3250 BCE. It’s still controversial if he or Namer unified upper Egypt. Evidence that it was the Scorpion King: there is a tomb at Abidos of “Horus-Scorpion”. The Scorpion King’s commemoration was the first to be written down. There was a crude iconic carving of a man smiting his enemies with a club. |
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| are Iranian nomadic people that lived in 1500 BC. Their culture revolved on the backs of horses, and they were known for raiding towns. “Kergans” were Scythian tombs, and in the one tomb excavated, a tattooed women was inside. A greek historian Herodotus refers to the Scythians as amazons, and the amazons were known for removing a breast so they could shoot arrows better. |
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| was created by the pharoah Khafre. The Sphinx is a temple that was built for any specific king but the similarities between Khafre’s pyramid and the Sphinx temple indicate that the Sphinx was built by Khafre. The Sphinx was built in 2500 BCE. |
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| a skull rack. This was first implemented by Monte Alban and was used to instill fear in their enemies and to create obedience from smaller villages. Also, it signified their military power. |
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| was the founder of the city Copan. Copan was founded in 426 and was ruled by Yak Kuk Mo’s lineage for 400 years. On top of Alter Q there were glyphs of the royal lineage, which depicts Yak Kuk Mo as the founder of Copan. Yak Kuk Mo was known as the “leader from the West” because he was from either Tikal or Teotihuacan, no one knows which one. Mayan books are called Codices. Yak Kuk Mo’s distinguishing features were ear flares, a single Jade bar and a shield on his right arm. |
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| was a Pharoah in the Old Kingdom and he was the first Pharoah to mandate the construction of a pyramid. The pyramid was built in 2680 BCE. In addition to creating the first pyramid, Zoser was the one to standardized the role as a Pharoah. |
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| are black and white pottery that uses repeated styles of designs on ceramic vessels. These Olmec styles are known as the Olmec horizon. The Olmec horizon is believed to signify the Olmec’s conquest in the highlands. These figures are more common in the valley of Oaxaca than the Gulf Coast. Another theory is that these jaguars show the networking between the Gulf Coast and other parts of Mesoamerica. (Note: they look like pots, with a half person half jaguar carved in the front) |
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| To the north of Monte Alban, in 500 BCE was Teotihuacan and Cuicuilco. After 100 BCE Teotihuacan remains and Cuicuilco does not because of a volcano. Teotihuacan is an imperial city based on their strong militarism, meritocratic (a person can move up in society based on their achievements) which makes the elites less apparent in society. Teotihuacan had a major impact on the Mayan civilizations. |
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| To the north of Monte Alban, in 500 BCE was Teotihuacan and Cuicuilco. After 100 BCE Teotihuacan remains and Cuicuilco does not because of a volcano. Teotihuacan is an imperial city based on their strong militarism, meritocratic (a person can move up in society based on their achievements) which makes the elites less apparent in society. Teotihuacan had a major impact on the Mayan civilizations. |
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| 1. Poverty Point Louisiana, 2. Olmec Mesoamerica, 3. Chavin Peru. They are similar in that they were building a religion and hooked to the early elites. |
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| The rumors say that Nefertiti ran the show when Tut was ill. There are pictures showing her wearing a royal hat. Her body was found in a tomb and she had a wig on, which supposedly was big proof she ruled. When archeologists found her remains her face was smashed indicating someone wanted to erase her memory of existence. |
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| Olmecs practiced shamanism, had a variety of different gods for different purposes (healing, dark powers, mischief). Worshiped the sun and the jaguar (were-jaguar). Jaguars were shamans of the animal world, at least 10 Olmec gods have been identified. |
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| Relied heavily on the were-jaguar monuments to pray to, believed it represented the close ties between man and animal, known as the “earth god.” Massive basalt heads, large flat-topped mounds rectangular carved stone alters. Lagunas used for ritual bathing |
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| (All I could find not sure if its correct) Researchers have also studied historic and contemporary Native American religious beliefs for parallels, with many noting that the west is seen as the direction of evil and death. Gibson believed that the rings were built with their arcs against the west to keep malevolent spirits out of the complex |
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| Lined up with the summer equinox. Auditorium-like design. Open space in the middle surrounded by mounds. One mound in the shape of a bird. Roads going outward towards other cities. |
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| The Pyramid of the Sun is the largest building in Teotihuacan and one of the largest in Mesoamerica. Found along the Avenue of the Dead, in between the Pyramid of the Moon and the Ciudadela, and in the shadow of the massive mountain Cerro Gordo, the pyramid is part of a large complex in the heart of the city. The name Pyramid of the Sun comes from the Aztecs, who visited the city of Teotihuacan centuries after it was abandoned; the name given to the pyramid by the Teotihuacanos is unknown. It was constructed in two phases. The first construction stage, around 100 A.D., brought the pyramid to nearly the size it is today. The second round of construction resulted in its completed size of 738 feet (224.942 meters) across and 246 feet (75 meters) high, making it the third largest pyramid in the world |
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| To the Aztecs, Quetzalcoatl was, as his name indicates, a feathered serpent, a flying reptile (much like a dragon), who was a boundary maker (and transgressor) between earth and sky. He was a creator deity having contributed essentially to the creation of Mankind. He also had anthropomorphic forms, for example in his aspects as Ehecatl the wind god. Among the Aztecs the name Quetzalcoatl was also a priestly title, as the most two important priests of the Aztec Templo Mayor were called "Quetzalcoatl Tlamacazqui". In the Aztec ritual calendar, different deities were associated with the cycle of year names: Quetzalcoatl was tied to the year Ce Acatl (One Reed), which correlates to the year 1519. The Temple of the Feathered Serpent is the modern-day name for the third largest pyramid at Teotihuacan |
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During the Early Dynastic Period and Old Kingdom Egypt, the residence of the pharaoh was at White Wall (Ineb-hedj) on the west bank of the Nile south of Cairo. This capital city was later named Memphis.
After the 8th Dynasty, the pharaohs left Memphis. |
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