Discovering Ancient Mesoamerican Civilizations

This fascinating narrative introduces young readers to the ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica. Evolving from their primitive ways to complex societies, these ancient peoples left records for archaeologists to piece together to glean what these peoples were really like more than 3,000 years ago. Among the civilizations examined are the Olmec, Zapotec, Aztec, and Maya. Lands, cultures, religions, and daily life activities are considered, as well as the colossal rock heads of the Olmec that still exist, the maguey plant that the Zapotec grew and used for making houses, and the temple at Chichén Itzá, among other remarkable facts and achievements.

If you want to discover the captivating history of Mesoamerica, then keep reading... Four captivating manuscripts in one book: Olmecs: A Captivating Guide to the Earliest Known Major Ancient Civilization in Mexico Zapotec Civilization: A Captivating Guide to the Pre-Columbian Cloud People Who Dominated the Valley of Oaxaca in Mesoamerica Maya History: A Captivating Guide to the Maya Civilization, Culture, Mythology, and the Maya Peoples' Impact on Mesoamerican History Aztec History: A Captivating Guide to the Aztec Empire, Mythology, and Civilization Part one of this book includes: Revolutionary Findings Provided by Modern Archaeological Detective Techniques A Simple Explanation of Who the Olmecs Were and Where they Came From Fascinating Discoveries of Olmec Art Startling Theories About the Structure of Olmec Society and How They Interacted with Their Neighbors The Truth of Why the Olmecs Were So Rich and the Powerful Components to Their Success What There Is to Know About the Olmec Military Amazing Insights Into Everyday Life of the Olmecs Religion and Beliefs and How They Played an Essential Role in Olmec Society Remarkable Innovations of the Olmecs And much, much more! Some of the topics covered in part two of this book include: The Cloud People and their Domain The Oaxaca Valley Understanding the Zapotecs and Founding of Monte Albán in Phases Early Agrarian Roots and the Building of a Civilization Religion, Myths, Sacrifices, Rituals, and Power The Royal Family and Class The Religious Order A Day in the Life of the Zapotecs The Arts, Athletics, and Technology The War against the Aztecs The Conquistadors' Arrival The Fall of an Empire And a Great Deal More You Don't Want to Miss Out On! Part three of this book includes: Revolutionary Findings Provided by Modern Archaeological Detective Techniques A Simple Explanation of the Maya Civilization and Its Location Fascinating Discoveries of Maya Art Remarkable Insights into the Maya Government and Society A Startling Exploration of the Mayans Everyday Life Amazing Insights into Myths, Legends, Gods and Beliefs of the Maya People, Including Shocking Findings Related to Human Sacrifice Warfare The Spanish Conquest and Its Impact From Colonial Times to Today And much, much more! In part four of this book, you will discover topics such as: Where Did the Aztecs Live? The Truth About Who the Aztecs Really Were Remarkable Insights into Government, City-States, and Expansion The Arrival of the Spanish and the Decline of the Empire A Day in the Life of an Aztec Citizen The Sovereign, the Dignitaries, and the Nobles Agriculture and Diet Religion Shocking Discoveries of Human Sacrifice And much, much more! Get the book now to learn more about Mesoamerican history!

Bloody sacrifices, disgusting diets, and shocking religious rituals are some of the gruesome aspects of the totally gross history of Mesoamerica. Concise and entertaining, this text covers some of the more nauseating facts about pre-Columbian Mesoamerica (the region spanning Central America). The gruesome details about the Mesoamerican diet, religion, and medicine will shock readers. But beyond the ickiness, this fascinating title also introduces its audience to the significant contributions of this important culture, as well as the tools that historians and archaeologists use to study ancient life.

Here is the story of America's oldest - and oddest - civilization, the Olmecs of the southern Mexican jungles. Virtually unknown to archaeologists until the early twentieth century, their true importance is only now being realized and shedding new light on how the Indian peoples of the Americas came to be here.

Volume 11 is idexes.

The Legacy of Mesoamerica: History and Culture of a Native American Civilization summarizes and integrates information on the origins, historical development, and current situations of the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica. It describes their contributions from the development of Mesoamerican Civilization through 20th century and their influence in the world community. For courses on Mesoamerica (Middle America) taught in departments of anthropology, history, and Latin American Studies.

Thousands of years ago, people settled in the part of the world called Mesoamerica. This region consists of southern Mexico and most of Central America as it stretches between what is now called the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. Although many different countries now exist within this space, it was the original home to just one civilisation: the Olmec. As time advanced, other well-known groups became dominant in the area. These were primarily the Aztecs and the Mayan. All these early civilizations that existed from approximately 1200 BCE to 900 CE were steeped with culture, tradition, commerce, and conflict. They also offer many mysteries and enigmas to modern understanding. These are the things that make people wonder about how the civilisations arose, gained such power, and why they disappeared. Travel back in time to the first days to discover the questions that still exist in the minds of archaeologists, historians, and others who strive to understand the ancient mysteries of Mesoamerica.

William Ferguson's classic photographic portrayal of the major pre-Columbian ruins of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras is now available from UNM Press in a completely revised edition. Magnificent aerial and ground photographs give both armchair and actual visitors unparalleled views of fifty-one ancient cities. The restored areas of each site and their interesting and exotic features are shown within each group of ruins. The authors have thoroughly revised the text for this new edition, and they have added over 30 new photographs and illustrations as well as a completely new chapter by Richard E. W. Adams on regional states and empires in ancient Mesoamerica. Over a span of three thousand years between 1500 B.C. and A.D. 1500 great civilizations, including the Olmec, Teotihuacan, Maya, Toltec, Zapotec, and Aztec, flourished, waned, and died in Mesoamerica. These indigenous cultures of Mexico and Central America are brought to life in Mesoamerica's Ancient Cities through stunning color photographs. The authors include the most recent research and most widely accepted theoretical perspectives on Mesoamerican civilizations. Ideal for the general reader as well as scholars of Mesoamerica, this volume makes a significant contribution to our knowledge of the Americas.