Mesoamerica
The early Mesoamerican cultures have made numerous impacts on the lives of civilizations that followed them. Some aspects of Mesoamerican culture can still be seen in our lives today, and will remain there for many years to come. The architecture, and other ruins of Mesoamerican cities still remain today, and historians have used them to learn about numerous aspects of ancient life.
The statue making skills of the Olmec have influenced many other civilizations to follow in their footsteps. It is not uncommon, in this day and age to find large statues made in the likeness of a political leader, and that idea can be attributed to the Olmec people. The Olmec were also one of the first civilizations to begin clear cutting, and while that is something that our society is trying to step away from, it is still groundbreaking because it allowed for a dramatic increase in resources for the ancient world.
The Mayans have made an enormous impact on our culture today. Their 365 day calendar was invented around 300 A.D. and is still being used today. Not many cultural achievements last over 1700 years and continue into the future. Their achievements in mathematics and astronomy have helped to give inspiration to the scientists of today. The Mayans were also one of the first American cultures to do overseas trade, and they have really set the bar for the cultures that have come after them. In addition to the numerous scientific achievements, the Mayans are also responsible for the creation of the bound book, which is obviously still being used today, as well as the large historical record left behind by Mayan scholars.
The Incas and Aztecs haven’t left behind as solid of a legacy, and not many of their ideas are explicitly being used today, but many aspects of their culture are very important to this day. First off, the Incas and Aztecs have always been credited as being able to think outside of the box. This can be seen by their rejection of creating a written language, as well as the development of a modified grain product called “quinoa.” Some of these strange aspects of Incan and Aztec culture died with them, but the idea of being unique and trying something new have become a part of the American way of life, and entrepreneurship all over the world. The second important aspect of Incan and Aztec culture is that they have always been praised on their ability to adapt to their environment. This can be seen in the construction of step terraces and irrigation systems worked into the high hills of Mexico that allowed farming to become a reality. The Aztecs even went as far as creating artificial “farming islands” called “chinampas.”
Overall, I feel that there are a lot of interesting aspects of these cultures, and many of them still seem relevant today. It is also astonishing how little these civilizations interacted with the rest of the world, yet they were still able to develop an enormous empire, without the help of other civilizations.