Olmec achievements, (1200-400 BC) were the first civilization in Central America. They built several cities with stone buildings and temples, as well as the colossal "heads" (up to 9 ft. or 3 m tall) that are their notable legacy.
Their civilization was centered on three rivers that empty into the Bay of Campeche in the Gulf of Mexico, along the central east coast of Mexico. They established trade with other native groups in Central America, developed agriculture, and created intricate artwork in pottery, stone, and jade. They may have developed a written system of pictographs even earlier than the Mayan civilization that followed them. The ritual ball game played by later tribes in the region may have started with the Olmecs.
Zapotec achievements, By the time Olmec civilization had collapsed, another people—the Zapotec—were developing an advanced society to the southwest, in what is now the Mexican state of Oaxaca (wuh•HAH•kah). Though they showed traces of Olmec influence, the Zapotec built a unique civilization. Peoples of the Oaxaca Valley Oaxaca is a rugged region of mountains and valleys in southern Mexico. In the center of the state, three valleys meet to form a large open area known as the Oaxaca Valley. This valley has fertile soil, a mild climate, and enough rainfall to support agriculture. As a result, various peoples have made the Oaxaca Valley their home, including the ancient Zapotec. For centuries the Zapotec lived in scattered villages throughout the valley. By 1000 B.C., however, one site—San José Mogote—was emerging as the main power in the region. At this site, the Zapotec constructed stone platforms. They also built temples and began work on monumental sculptures. By 500 B.C. they had developed early forms of writing and a calendar system.
Chavin achievements, The civilization Chavin receives it's name from the temple ruins at Chavin de Huantar. The temple portrays their knowledge regarding drainage. The complex system keeps the temple dry during the flooding season. Built during 900 to 200 BCE, the intricate engineering of the temple at Chavin de Huantar represents their advanced architecture, and influence on subsequent civilizations. Chavin de Huantar,
Motifs were also common in the Chavin society, and much of their art consisted of humans and animals. These artifacts can be found at Chavin de Huantar, and were created from 900 to 200 BCE. These designs are an example of the art styles of the Chavin civilization, and represent the unique characteristics of their crafts. The human and animal heads are an aspect of the Chavin civilization culture and art.
Nazca achievements, Nazca culture flourished along the southern coast of Peru from around 200 B.C. to A.D. 600. This area is extremely dry. The Nazca developed extensive irrigation systems, including underground canals, that allowed them to farm the land. The Nazca are known for their beautiful textiles and pottery. Both feature images of animals, and mythological beings. They are even more famous, however, for an extraordinary but puzzling set of creations known as the Nazca Lines.
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