Anthropology 1026F/G Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Baktun, Werejaguar, Mesopotamia
21 Apr 2016
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Document Summary
Olmec had lasting influence originated many major features of mesoamerican civilization: massive architecture. Mainly earthen with only some stone facing: massive stone sculpture. Giant stone heads: 20 tons stone is 100km+ away: ball courts: l-shaped/rectangular sacred game, calendries and writing. Later groups recorded in 2 calendars one of 200 days and 1 of 365. Coincided every 52 years same day and month. Later maya recorded since beginning of universe 3224 bc. Range from largest of 144,000 days (baktun) down to 1 day (kin) Bar = 5, dot = 1 (eg: 1 bar + 3 dots = 8) Olmec actually originated this system; earliest date on stelae in 31 bc: massive trade to obtain exotic goods for religious/status purposes. Imported material from all over mesoamerica jade, obsidian rock, iron pyrites (mirrors: religious beliefs: Series of gods don"t know what olmec called them but among aztec were called: Human sacrifice = in art and human remains (war captives?)
