Page 100 - Key to Social Studies 6

Let’s Observe Let’s Connect

Some Mesoamerican Civilizations The Americas in the Past vs. Today

The Olmecs
The Americas in the Past
Other than being known for their
The Americas in the past were the place for hunters and gatherers who developed the civilizations of
basalt stone heads, the Olmecs
Mesoamerica. These civilizations were built on hunting, farming, and trading. They hunted animals
were known for their rubber
using handmade weapons, which they made of stone, wood, and other elements. They did their
production and trade in the area.
farming with seeds they found or traded with people living in other areas. They traded before the
The word Olmecs in the Aztec
existence of money using materials and elements that were needed around the Americas.
language means rubber people.
The Americas Today
The Olmecs used their big cities
Today, the Americas have a strong signi cance in the world. In North America, the United States is an
like San Lorenzo and La Venta
example of huge power and strong economy. Also, Canada is considered one of the leading nations in
mostly for ceremonies and as a
education and democracy. Moreover, South America has an extreme variety of species and forests that
place for the elites. However, the
are important to the world’s climate and food chain.
majority of the population lived

in small villages around those Olmec statue in La Venta Park, Mexico

cities.

The Zapotecs

The Zapotec civilization is one of View of the pyramids of Teotihuacan, ancient Mesoamerican city in Mexico

the oldest civilizations in

Mesoamerica, dating back at

least 2500 years. Their largest city

and center of control was Monte

Albán, located in today’s Oaxaca
state in Mexico, where the ruins

of such an ancient civilization

still exist till today.

Monte Albán, Oaxaca, Mexico
98