Chapter 6

In this chapter we explore the civilizations of the Americas and Africa. In Africa one of the first civilizations to emerge was the Kingdom of Meroe. Women, often co-ruling with a man, mainly ruled the city of Meroe. Evidence shows that farming and herding were practiced, and that it was a rainfall-based agriculture. Around 100 C.E. the Kingdom of Meroe declined, mainly to do so with deforestation. With the fall of Meroe, it allowed a new Kingdom to come along, which was Axum, a Christian Kingdom. Axum was a highly productive agriculture and filled with unique sculptures. Across the ocean we go to the Americas. In the Americas the main civilizations were the Aztecs, Mayas, and Incas. The Mayan were intelligent citizens that were mainly based in Northern Guatemala. The Mayan were largely responsible, for example the Mayan calendar and mathematical system. At the same time the Mayans were doing well, the Aztecs were flourishing with their city in north Mexico. The city of Teotihuacan was the largest city in America, with an estimate population of 200,000. Many of these cities were powerful and important to future civilizations.

            Something important that I read in this article was the Mayans. The Mayans were important because of what they did in their civilizations. They invented the concept of zero and a mathematical system that we use today. They also explored around with astronomy by looking at the stars and gathering information by doing so. Today we have a lot of tools to look into space to make conclusions, and the Mayans were able to do the same with just their eyes. Their structures were also something that it fascinating to look at, such as Tikal. Today Tikal is seen as a monument and symbol that represents the Mayan civilization.