Mesoamerican

Mesoamerica

Location	Central America
Type	Cultural region
History
Founded	Approx. 7000 BCE
Abandoned	16th century (Spanish Conquest)
Periods	Preclassic, Classic, Postclassic
Cultures	Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and others

Mesoamerica is a historical region and cultural area in North America which extends from approximately central Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica. It is one of the six cradles of civilization worldwide and was home to many advanced pre-Columbian societies including the Olmec, the Maya, and the Aztecs.

Geography

Mesoamerica is distinguished by its varied geography which includes lowland plains, high volcanic mountains, and dense rainforests. This diversity of environments supported a wide variety of cultures, each with its own unique adaptations and innovations.

Chronology

Mesoamerican civilizations are typically divided into three periods:

• The Preclassic period (c. 2000 BCE – 250 CE)
• The Classic period (c. 250 CE – 900 CE)
• The Postclassic period (c. 900 CE – 1519 CE)

Culture

Mesoamerican cultures are noted for their advancements in various fields including mathematics, astronomy, architecture, and ecology. Their systems of writing (e.g., Maya script) and complex calendrical systems are particularly notable. Mesoamerican religions were complex and often involved elements of human sacrifice and cosmology.

Economy

The Mesoamerican economy was largely based on agriculture, with maize being the central component of their diet and culture. Trade routes also played a crucial role in the economy, facilitating the exchange of goods such as obsidian, jade, chocolate, and precious feathers and shells across the region.

Sociopolitical Organization

Mesoamerican societies ranged from city-states to large empires and were often characterized by a high degree of social stratification. Political power was typically held by a ruling elite who were believed to be descended from the gods.

Legacy

The legacy of Mesoamerican civilizations can be seen in the continued use of indigenous languages and traditions by the descendants of these cultures. Their contributions to world culture, such as the domestication of maize and the invention of the zero in mathematics, have had lasting global impacts.

See also

• Teotihuacan
• Tikal
• Monte Albán
• Chichen Itza