Introduction+Classical+Americas


 * Introduction:**

It is thought that the people came to the Americas during the last ice age, when the Bering Strait was still a land mass. A fluctuation in temperature over 10,000 years cause they ice of this strait to melt and the migration stopped. Even though the population was isolated from the Western world, they were still able to advance as a civilization. The Americas were the first society with very large modern cities that developed from smaller groups. Religion had a huge impact on the civilizations, both in their politics and social interactions. The religion praised the gods, dualism, and human sacrifice. Their society had little hierarchy and the societies were organized around family groups or clans. The Americas economy relied heavily on agriculture, having 100 different crops and domesticated maize. Hunting was a major aspect of life as well and small hunting groups would follow game for their people. From this economic success, large populations to develop. The intellectual success of the Americas is shown as the civilizations changed from hunting and gathering to large cities and agriculture. The American people had lots of technological and artistic advancements. In their arts they had pottery and large, impressive pyramids. Their technology consisted of agricultural advancements, the creation of the calendar, a writing system, and the concept of zero to name a few. The Classical Americas civilization is most impressive when you realize that all these advancements occurred in separation from the Western civilizations.

By Sarah, Ben, and Cameron