Week 6

Pre-Colombian Summary

The Pre-Colombian era is the time period in the Americas before the indigenous cultures were conquered or influenced by European settlers or explorers.  This time period is divided into three major time frames.  The age of experimentation from 15500 BC to 300 Ad is called the Pre-Classic period, followed by the Classic period from 300 AD to 900 AD, and finally, the Post Classical period from 900 to 1492 AD.  The Post Classical period showed an increase in population and technological developments along with frequent wars.

 

Sources

Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-Columbian

Olmec Civilization of Ancient Mexico

I have always been fascinated with many of the indigenous tribes of Latin America and I enjoyed viewing all of the youtube videos.  While I was viewing some of the various groups, I noticed on the side bar, a video titled "The Truth:  The Olmec Civilization" and with curiosity, I clicked on the link.  Apparently, there are many Mesoamerican historians who believe the Olmec people were NOT originally from Africa and disregard much of the physical evidence suggesting that this group of people were descendants from West Africa who sailed and immigrated to the Americas.  Based upon my readings, there is fierce controversy regarding the orgins of the Olmec civilization.  My curiosity led me to explore other video clips and print articles on the Olmecs.

There are many interesting aspects of this indigenous civilization.  Beginning in 1862, large stone heads, some weighing as much as 30 tons and measuring over 7' tall, and other artifacts were being discovered in Mexico.  These artifacts indicated there was an ancient civilization with culture, art, writing, pyramids, technology and a complex social structure that existed long before the Mayans, Aztecs and Incas.  These Olmec settlements were located on the Western edge of the Gulf of Mexico.  There were five major settlements:  San Lorenzo, Laguna de los Cerros, Tres Zapotes, Portrero Nuevo and the capital of the Olmec civilization in LaVenta.  These settlements were major ceremonial and administrative centers placed strategically for trade and conquest. San Lorenzo and LaVenta were located near controlled flood planes, rich estuaries and near sources of cacao, rubber and salt.  Little is known about the Olmec, but scientists believe this civilization developed before 1200 BC and declined around 400 BC and many historians call the Olmecs one of the earliest and greatest civilizations in Mesoamerica (Aztec-History).

This indigenous civilization is known for its carved gigantic stone heads.  Only 17 heads have ever been found and may speculate that the heads may be portraits of ancient rulers or athletes.  The most interesting and mysterious fact about these heads is that the stone used in the sculptures is not indigenous to the region of the settlements.  Many of the stones used in the carvings were collected from far away places and brought back to their cities and ceremonial sights.  The Olmecs used basalt or volcanic rock for the carving of thes colossal pieces and the closest source was from volcanic mountains over 100 miles away through dense jungles and across rivers.  In the video series from the BBC Prime - "Secrets of the Ancients - Olmec Heads", the scientific team was unsuccessful in their attempt to move a 12 ton stone from its mountain source over land and water using ancient Olmec technology.  To date, it is unknown how the Olmecs transported these massive stones to their cities.

The Olmecs adopted an ancient form of Mande script, which was first used by the Mande speaking tribes in North Africa.  Additionally, they developed two calendars that ran side by side in a 52-year cycle (Weber).  They had a 260-day ritual calendar and a 360-day secular calendar, called the long calendar, which was later "improved" by the Mayan civilization.  This calendar required the use of a zero as a placeholder and the Olmecs are considered one of the first civilizations to use the number zero.

I believe that one of the most important things to know about the Olmec civilization is that they had a tremendous influence on the surrounding populations and future civilizations.  They carved wood, stone, jade and volcanic rock.  Similar types of sculptures have been found in the central Mexico-Aztec region.   The layout of their cities would be copied by future societies.  Scientists found an Olmec rubber ball and uncovered a ball court that was believed to be for the purpose of the ritual ball game that was adopted by future civilizations.  The Olmecs traded with far away people and ate a variety of foods.  They practiced a complex religious system with temple mounds, symbolic animals (the jaguar), had many gods and performed human sacrifice.  The Mayans and the Aztecs adopted these religious, spiritual and ritualistic practices into their culture.  In spite of the controversy regarding the origins of this civilization, the Olmecs continued to have a huge influence on civilizations and cultures long after their decline.

Video Sources

BBC Prime - Secrets of the Ancients. "Olmec Heads"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpAdEmR2PW4 

Boyle, Joshua; Drori, Alon; Valenzuela, Jackie.   "The Olmec Civilization"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJFChVveQqo&feature=PlayList&p=2796FD50B64FEFE4&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=8

"The Olmec-Ancient Mexico - America's First Civilization"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKo9mUeIueM

"Olmec Writing"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11HL6S0C8U0&feature=related

"The Truth:  The Olmec Civilization"

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmT5v4sHjO4&feature=fvsr

On-Line Print Sources
Aztec-History.com "The Ancient Olmec Civilization"
http://www.aztec-history.com/olmec-civilization.html 

Weber, George. "Olmec Civilization (Vera Cruz & Tobasco, Mexico)" February 2007.
http://www.andaman.org/BOOK/chapter54/text-Olmec/text-Olmec.htm 

Photo Sources - On-Line

Olmec City and Pyramid 
http://floydsancientwonders.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_archive.html



Olmec Civilization Map
Olmec Writing
Olmec Calendar

Weber, George. "Olmec Civilization (Vera Cruz & Tobasco, Mexico)" February 2007
http://www.andaman.org/BOOK/chapter54/text-Olmec/text-Olmec.htm

Olmec Stone Head
Aztec-History.com "The Ancient Olmec Civilization"
http://www.aztec-history.com/olmec-civilization.html






Review of Class Work from Week 5

Alyssa's favorite artist was the sculpture by Fernando Botero (La Mano).  She especially liked the way the hand was sculpted.

Julisa was attracted to Laura Hernandez's work, specifically a sculpture called "Man Element Water 1997".  Hernancez paints with oils, Cochinilla - Papelmat on canvas and watercolors.

Kathy saw one sculpture from the Sculpture Garden that caught her interest that displayed the moon and stars.  In spite of her searching, she was unable to locate the artist.  (I also enjoyed this piece and could not find the artist.)

Kelsey believes that Latin American art is very imaginative and religious.

Logan wrote about the sculpture titled "War-Giro" which represents the visual struggle of duality, which is a common theme in Cuban art.

Michael wrote that "Cuban art was used by the Castro regime as a political tool to spread socialism.  When Russia cut off funding, local art turned into an enterprising for-profit adventure."  -Thanks!  I didn't know that!

Nancy enjoyed the painting "Exodo" by painter Arnold Belkin.  She felt that "the darkness of the lines as well as the expression on the couple's faces seem to depict worry or concern.  It all works together to create a very emotional scene."

Robert found Guillermo Bert's work visually appealing.

Shannon also enjoyed viewing "Exodo" by Arnold Belkin.  It reminded her of the murals she saw as a child growing up in the Mission District of San Francisco.

Stacy wrote that the value placed on art in Latin America countries is "opposite" that of America's culture.