Republic of the Philippines

TARLAC STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Lucinda Campus, Tarlac City
Tel. No. (045) 493-0182; Fax No. (045) 982-0110
Re-accredited Level III by the Accrediting Agency of
Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACUP), Inc.

Mesoamerican Period

In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements in Science Technology and Society

Submitted by:

Mallari, Kimberly Nicole P.

BEEd 1A

Submitted to:

Ms
Instructor

Academic year 2020-2021

2nd Sem

I. OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson the students will be able to:

A. To analyze the Mesoamerican period

B. To appreciate the different indigenous cultures during mesoamerican period
C. To answer the quiz regarding Mesoamerican period

II. Discussion
A. Mesoamerican Period (1200 B.C. - 3RD CENTURY A.D.)

The complex of indigenous cultures that developed in parts of Mexico and Central
America prior to Spanish exploration and conquest in the 16th century. In the organization of its
kingdoms and empires, the sophistication of its monuments and cities, and the extent and
refinement of its intellectual accomplishments.

The term Mesoamerica comes from the greek word “mesos” meaning “in the middle.”
This period is characterized by the following civilizations:

B. Olmecs (1500 B.C - 400 B.C)

Olmec, the first elaborate pre-Columbian civilization of Mesoamerica (1500 B.C –400
B.C) and one that is thought to have set many of the fundamental patterns evinced by later
American Indian cultures of Mexico and Central America, notably the Maya and the Aztec. The
Nahuatl (Aztec) name for these people, Olmecatl, or Olmec in the modern corruption, means
“rubber people” or “people of the rubber country.” That term was chosen because the Olmecs
extracted latex from Panama rubber trees (Castilla elastica) growing in the region and mixed it
with the juice of a local vine (Ipomoea alba, moonflower) to create rubber.

 The top of the society are priest and nobles who live in ceremonial centers.

 Normal people live in a farming villages around the elites.

 Carves colossal heads from volcanic rocks as a portraits of rulers.

 Invented calendar and carve.

 The mother culture of Mesoamerica.

 There were eight different androgynous—possessing male and female characteristics—

Olmec deities, each with its own distinct characteristics.

Deities often represented a natural element and included the following:

 The Maize deity

 The Rain Spirit or Were-Jaguar

 The Fish or Shark Monster

C. Mayans (300 B.C - 900 A.D)

Develop methods of farming such as shifting agriculture and raise bed farming.
 Organized into city state without political unity but bounded economically.
 Develop numbering system including place value and the concept of zero.
 Develop hieroglyphic form of writing that were used for recording astronomical
observations, rituals and religious matter but was burnt during the invasion of Spanish
conquerors.
 Develop a solar calendar with 365 days and ritual calendar with 260 days.

D. Aztecs (12th - 15th Century)

 Built Chinampas or “floating gardens” to plant crops.

 Built empire which has a ruler with his council consisting of nobles, priest and military
leaders.
 Developed a calendar with 365 days and ritual calendar with 260 days.
 Believe that illness is a punishment from the Gods but still uses herbs and medicine for
treatment.

III. References

http://www.famsi.org/research/pohl/chronology.html

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Olmec

https://www.livescience.com/41781-the-maya.html

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Aztec

https://www.fcusd.org/cms/lib/CA01001934/Centricity/Domain/1168/Aztec%20social
%20pyramid%20readings.pdf