Dbq Essay On Mesoamerican Civilization

Before the arrival of Columbus in the Americas, there were several Mesoamerican civilizations throughout a period of thousands of years. Many of these civilizations attained remarkable accomplishments in fields, ranging all the way from mathematics to agriculture. In example, one renowned civilization, the Maya, developed a complex system of written language that enabled them to keep record of significant events. The Mayan city-states built magnificent temples for rituals and religious purposes that connected the kings to the gods. Additionally, many civilizations of Mesoamerica implemented advanced technologies, such as irrigation, which was considered crucial, especially to those residing in the deserts of the Southwestern parts of North

One example is an illustration drawn on a ceramic jar that depicts the Mayans partaking in the ball game ceremony (Document 1). The ball game was considered as a sport played by major Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Aztecs and the Olmecs. The losing team of this particular sport was offered as candidates for human sacrifice to the gods. This indicates the Mesoamericans’ devotion towards their religion; they even incorporated religious aspects in to their game. According to archaeologists, this ancient game was said to be played with a hard rubber ball, and the players were equipped with heavy chest and waist pads for protection (due to its dangers). The game is associated with a creation myth, which conveys that it had significant religious meanings. In other words, this illustration was the Mayan artist’s expression of religious rituals and ideas to the general public. Another example of the portrayal of religion is the Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan, Mexico (Document 4). This was a religious pyramid dedicated to the Moon, and this grandiose and massive architectural structure was built for the purpose of worshiping the gods. Out of more than twenty other temples devoted to the gods, this pyramid was considered to be the second largest. This evidently portrays the creators’ intentions in creating this magnificent building (for worship), as they were heavily influenced by religion. This architectural structure implemented for worshipping the gods is much like the ziggurats, created by Ancient Mesopotamian cities. Ziggurats are also religious structures in the shape of a pyramid, used to honor the gods. Thus, religious beliefs and ideas greatly influenced the artistic and architectural structures that were