What did the Zapotec civilization eat?

What did the Zapotec civilization eat?

The food crops that the ancient Zapotecs grew included beans, gourds such as squash, maize, which is a species of corn, and chiles. These foods continue to be part of the Zapotec diet, especially maize.

What did the Zapotec people do?

The Zapotecs were a sedentary culture living in villages and towns, in houses constructed with stone and mortar. They recorded the principal events in their history by means of hieroglyphics, and in warfare they made use of a cotton armour. The well-known ruins of Mitla have been attributed to them.

Why did the Zapotec empire decline?

The Zapotecs were ultimately destroyed by Spanish invaders. Having lost militarily to the Aztecs in battles from 1497–1502, the Zapotecs tried to avoid confrontation with the Spaniards, and hopefully the tragic fate of the Aztecs.

What is the agriculture of Zapotec?

In general, however, Zapotec society is oriented around central villages or towns and has an agricultural base. Staple crops are corn, beans, and squash; market crops such as coffee, wheat, and sugarcane are grown where the climate allows. Some hunting, fishing, and gathering of wild foods is also practiced.

What happened to the Zapotecs?

Who were the Zapotecs allies?

One important area of expansion is the Bixanos Zapotec community of Choapan, which counts as its allies Comaltepec and Latani, amongst others. This alliance is led by a powerful cacique (chief) called Tela and his son, Theolao, and various cadet branches of illustrious royal forbears.

How were farmers in the Zapotec civilization successful?

Yet more than 2,000 years ago, the Zapotec people created one of the most successful farming civilizations in the Americas. Their elaborate networks of canals, dams, and terraced fields transported and stored precious irrigation water.

How did the Zapotec farm?

The majority of Zapotec in all regions are peasant farmers, practicing a mixture of subsistence and cash agriculture with some animal husbandry. In all regions, farmers use teams of oxen to plow their fields; however, when mountain slopes are too steep for oxen, planting may be accomplished with a digging stick.

What did the Zapotec believe in?

The religion of the Zapotec is Roman Catholic, but belief in pagan spirits, rituals, and myths persists, to some extent intermingled with Christianity. The compadrazgo, a system of ritual kinship established with godparents, is important.

Where did the Zapotec culture live in Mesoamerica?

The Zapotec culture flourished in southern Mesoamerica. This pre-Columbian civilization dates back at least 2500 years. Their ancient city of Monte Alban has been a treasure trove of archaeological evidence. Magnificent tombs and buildings paid homage to their building skills.

What kind of food did the Zapotec Indians eat?

These foods continue to be part of the Zapotec diet, especially maize. The Zapotecs make a beverage out of maize called atole, drink Oaxacan hot chocolate, and eat meals made from beans, fish, and wild game. The indigenous Zapotec culture continues to survive but its numbers have dwindled to around 400,000.

When did the Zapotec civilization start and end?

The Zapotec civilization originated in the three Central Valleys of Oaxaca in the late 6th Century BCE. There are five distinct Zapotec periods, denoted Monte Albán 1–5 (after the place of origin). The Zapotec were polytheists who developed a calendar and logosyllabic writing system.

What kind of writing did the Zapotecs use?

The Zapotecs developed an early system of writing in which each symbol represents a syllable. The earliest of these writings are dated to about 500 B.C., making them a possible candidate for the first system of writing in Mesoamerica. Both of th civilizations adopted this rating system, and in the process perfected it.