Olmec/Mayas

massive stone pier that included Maya writing in which told a story.

 were the leaders, dominated by strong families

 original inhabitants or native people of a geographical area

locations where civilizations first began and prospered independently

Great pyramid in the city of La Venta

Massive stone sculptures built by Maya to tell a story

Maya used their observations of the stars, moon and sun to create the what

 Pre-Columbian cultural area in Middle America refer to as “cradles of civilization”

Developed trade routes known for trading what crop

independent of each other and were ruled by powerful families and/or priests.

Dates back to 2500 BC to 250 AD, Considered one of the pristine civilizations

 time period before the influence of Europeans

The first and major city of the Maya civilization

known city within their civilization

 original inhabitants or native people of a geographical area

 known as the first great city of the Maya

In Present day Central Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador , Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

System of writing

What was used for used for religious ceremonies and burial tombs for rulers.

1800 BC to around 900 AD found throughout southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras.

Used to make chocolate

The focus of the Maya civilization

First dominate ancient civilization in Mesoamerica