The Ancient Americas

In many societies led by powerful groups or individuals, the leaders' positions depended on keeping their peoples' good favor. But in some societies in Mesoamerica and the Andes, leaders acquired more power over the people they led. These rulers could oversee the production and exchange of resources on a large scale and motivate people to provide labor, allowing the growth of cities.

Rulers derived their power from three important aspects of society—the economy, military, and religion—and managed them using hierarchies of administrators, a system we call government.

But while these societies produced magnificent buildings and art, their complexity often led to internal conflicts. Few powerful governments lasted more than a thousand years.

To explore some societies in which kings and governments began to rule over citizens, select from the following:

	Overview Get the full story on how governmental societies controlled their communities by imposing class structure, religious beliefs, and more on their people. You'll learn about the five common attributes shared among famous societies of ancient Mesoamerica.
	Featured Cultures Explore five fascinating societies—Zapotec, Maya, Teotihuacan, Moche, and Wari—and find out how their rulers used religion, the economy, and the military to maintain their power.
	Image Gallery View spectacular jewelry, pottery, weapons, religious artifacts, and writings that tell us about the daily life of Mesoamerican societies.
	Featured Scientist Meet Dr. Gary Feinman, a Field Museum archaeologist and Curator of Mesoamerican Anthropology, and Linda Nicholas, Adjunct Curator of Mesoamerican Archaeology and Ethnology, and learn about the Zapotec, a society led by rulers with governments.

Continue to Overview. >>