Final answer:
Complex societies in North America, Mesoamerica, and South America were characterized by diverse cultures, unique time periods, systems of writing, urbanization, evidence of warfare or social inequality, and distinct subsistence techniques.
Step-by-step explanation:
Complex Societies in North America, Mesoamerica, and South America
When comparing complex societies in North America, Mesoamerica, and South America, it is important to consider several factors such as specific cultures, time periods, systems of writing, urbanization, evidence for warfare or social inequality, and subsistence techniques.
North America:
Ancestral Puebloans (1200 – 1300 CE): The Ancestral Puebloans, also known as the Anasazi, inhabited the southwestern region of North America. They had an agricultural-based society, relying on farming techniques like irrigation to grow crops such as corn, beans, and squash. While they did not have a system of writing, they built complex settlements known as cliff dwellings, such as Mesa Verde in present-day Colorado.
Mississippian Civilization (900 – 1500 CE): The Mississippian culture flourished in the southeastern region of North America. They had a hierarchical society with a chiefdom system and evidence of social inequality. The city of Cahokia, located near present-day St. Louis, was a major center of the Mississippian culture, featuring mounds, plazas, and a complex trade network.
Mesoamerica:
Olmec Civilization (1200 – 400 BCE): The Olmec civilization was the mother culture of Mesoamerica. They developed urban centers such as San Lorenzo and La Venta, and their achievements include large-scale construction projects, sophisticated artwork, and a system of writing using hieroglyphics. They relied on agriculture, particularly maize, as their main subsistence technique.
Aztec Civilization (1325 – 1521 CE): The Aztecs, also known as the Mexica, established a powerful empire in central Mexico. They built the great city of Tenochtitlan, which featured impressive urban planning, causeways, and temples. The Aztecs had a system of writing using pictographs, and were known for their extensive farming techniques, including chinampas (floating gardens) and terraced agriculture.
South America:
Mochica Civilization (100 – 800 CE): The Mochica civilization flourished along the northern coast of Peru. They had complex societies with elaborate irrigation systems and hierarchies. The city of Chan Chan was the capital of the Mochica and was known for its impressive adobe architecture. They mainly relied on agriculture, including the cultivation of maize, potatoes, and quinoa.
Inca Empire (1438 – 1533 CE): The Inca Empire was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America, stretching across the Andes region of South America. They built magnificent cities like Machu Picchu and Cusco with well-planned urban centers. The Incas did not have a system of writing but used quipu (knotted cords) for record-keeping. Their subsistence techniques included terraced agriculture, llama and alpaca herding, and extensive road networks for trade and communication.