Discovering Ancient Mesoamerican Civilizations

Book excerpt: This fascinating narrative introduces young readers to the ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica. Evolving from their primitive ways to complex societies, these ancient peoples left records for archaeologists to piece together to glean what these peoples were really like more than 3,000 years ago. Among the civilizations examined are the Olmec, Zapotec, Aztec, and Maya. Lands, cultures, religions, and daily life activities are considered, as well as the colossal rock heads of the Olmec that still exist, the maguey plant that the Zapotec grew and used for making houses, and the temple at Chichén Itzá, among other remarkable facts and achievements.