HIST 4100 – 01/02 – ONLINE: Ancient World Civilizations

Maintained by scholars from major universities, this website provides historical, cultural, and archaeological studies of pre-columbian Mesoamerica.

This program spotlights prominent locations in the city, including the imposing Pyramid of Kukulcan, the Temple of the Warriors, the circular observatory known as El Caracol, the largest ball court in Mesoamerica, and the Well of Sacrifice (27 mins).

An investigation of new evidence that may explain why the Maya abandoned their cities around 800 B.C.E. (53 mins.)

Examines how the Maya were able to construct sophisticated engineering works without the aid of the wheel, metals, or pack animals (44 mins).

A brief history of the conquest of Mexico by Hernan Cortez and 600 soldiers (26 mins).

Archaeologists describe the materials remains of the Olmecs, whose descendents gave rise to both the Aztec and Mayan Empires (49 mins).