Meso-American civilization - Essay Example

Meso American civilization Meso American civilization is the term used to refer to the early American civilizations that developed around 1200 B.C. in the coastal regions south of the Gulf of Mexico referred to as the Olmec civilization (www.historyworld.net). Ancient Egyptian civilization lasted across the period 3200 to 343 BC and developed along the river Nile. There was no form of currency existing during the Egyptian period, however the Government levied taxes on the people for different purposes which were paid in work by craftspeople or by produce.

The Mesopotamian civilization developed between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates in southwest comprising modern day Iran, Syria and Turkey around 5000 B.C. when the Sumerians arrived in this region. Chinese civilization is among the oldest, dating back to before 3000 B.C. Early Indian civilization was highly developed as evidenced through the civilizations of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa that develop din the region of the valley of the river Indus and its tributaries. Egyptian civilization was one of the earliest to develop the system of writing through hieroglyphics (www.

projectshum.org). Mesopotamian writing in the form of hieroglyphs also ranks among the earliest known in the world, with some Sumerian writing even older than the Egyptian. Writing among the Meso American civilizations developed later, also in the form of hieroglyphs with some phonetic elements, which were written in numerous columns or stelae. The ancient Indian scripts were in the form of the Indus script which has not yet been deciphered. The art of the Meso American period comprised massive stone sculptures more than two metres in height, of square jawed flat lipped warriors.

This was similar to Mesopotamian art, which was also characterized by sculptures of gods in human forms, assuming a highly decorative aspect. Humans were also combined with animals to produce fantastic sculptures.(www.huntfor.com). The best known art work of the Chinese period is that which developed during the Ming dynasty, comprising vases and other decorative objects. One of the best known art works of the Egyptian period are the great pyramids of Giza and monumental statutes of the Pharoah.

The first American monuments as constructed during the Meso American period are also pyramids which have religious significance and where pilgrims climb to the top, unlike the smooth sided pyramids of Egypt. Early Indian civilizations demonstrated well planned cities built of brick with wide streets, public and private bathing platforms and reservoirs. However the Meso American civilizations are characterized by living areas with large platforms in the centre which are believed to have surrounded temples or palaces built of wood, which had religious significance.

The early American civilizations were predominantly religious, similar to the Chinese civilization, where people had to get their heads shaved and wear pigtails.(www.projectshum.com). The practice of human sacrifice was common, while the Egyptian civilization also characterized by sacrifice of animals to appease the gods. References:* Ancient art – Mesopotamia. [online] retrieved October 12, 2004 from: http://www.huntfor.com/arthistory/ancient/mesopotamia.htm* Ancient civilizations – ancient China” [online] retrieved October 12, 2007 from: http://www.

projectshum.org/Ancient/china.html* “Ancient civilizations – ancient Egypt.” [online] retrieved October 12, 2007 from: http://www.projectshum.org/Ancient/egypt.html* “History of Meso American Civilization” [online] Retrieved October 12, 2007 from: http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ab58Compare Meso-American civilization to those of acient Egypty, Mesopotamia, India and China. In what ways were they similar? What is the basic difference between Meso-American civilization and the other four?

Please use this text if possible: The Heritage of World Civilizations. Combined Volume. Seventh Edition. By, Craig, Graham, Kagan, Ozment and Turner.