The “Americas”
Part II
Due 11/23
midnight
Read:
Mesoamerica, an Introduction
Read:
Mayan Relief of Bloodletting
Read:
Introduction to Andean Culture
Mesoamerica
1.
What is considered Mesoamerica? Why is it referred to as Mesoamerica?
“Mesoamerica refers to the diverse civilizations that shared similar cultural characteristics in the
geographic areas comprising the modern-day countries of
Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize,
El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.
Some of the shared cultural traits among Mesoamerican
peoples included a complex pantheon of deities, architectural features, a ballgame, the 260-day
calendar, trade, food (especially a reliance on maize, beans, and squash), dress, and
accouterments (such
as earspools).” It's called Mesoamerica to combine Mexican and Central
America.
2.
Describe the religious belief system. Be detailed.
The Mesoamerican religious belief system was the belief in a pantheon of gods and goddesses.
“A complex pantheon of gods existed within each Mesoamerican culture. Many groups shared
similar deities, although there was a great deal of variation. Deities that had important roles
across Mesoamerica included a storm/rain god and a feathered serpent deity.”
3.
What is the significance of the ball game?
The ball game is a ritual sport that was also a symbolic event. “It could symbolize a range of
larger cosmological ideas…”
Mayan Relief of Bloodletting
4.
This is a lintel. What is a lintel? Why would this image be carved onto a lintel?
Lintels depict a royal blood-
letting ceremony. Lintels are “a horizontal support of timber, stone,
concrete, or steel across the top of a door or window” They are used for Mayan Relief of
Bloodletting which helps them communicate with the supernatural world through blood-letting
rituals.
5.
What is the importance of the bloodletting rituals?
“In Maya society, a ruler's power was based on the knowledge gained by communicating with the
supernatural world through blood-letting rituals.
6.
Why was Lady Xook portrayed in such a painful ritual practice?
