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ANTH 336  New World Prehistory
Dr. Darlene Applegate
Fall 2006
Mesoamerica Culture Area
Chronological Units and Culture History



COLONIZATION PERIOD   
(AD 1500 to 1900)


Spanish influence


POST-CLASSIC PERIOD   
(AD 700 to 1500)


continued development of diagnostic features of Mesoamerica

complex societies:

    Valley of MexicoToltec (AD 950 to 1200) and Aztec (AD 1200 to 1521)

    YucatanMaya (post AD 900)

period ends at time of European contact


CLASSIC PERIOD   
(AD 250 to 700)


continued development of diagnostic features of Mesoamerica, including writing and calendrical systems

complex societies

    Valley of MexicoTeotihuacan (200 BC to AD 700)

    Valley of Oaxaca:  Monte Alban: Mixtec Civilization (AD 300-800)

    Lowlands and Highlands:  Maya (AD 250 to 900)


FORMATIVE / PRE-CLASSIC PERIOD   
(1500 BC to AD 250)


subdivided into early, middle and late periods

development of pottery technology

food production widespread in this period

development of many diagnostic features of Mesoamerica, such as pyramids, ceremonial centers, art motifs, and religion systems

first complex societies

    Gulf Coast:  Olmec (1500 to 500 BC)

    Valley of Oaxaca:  Monte Alban: Zapotec Civilization (1400 BC to AD 700)

    Lowlands:  Maya (1000 BC to AD 250)


ARCHAIC / INITIAL PERIOD   
(7000 to 1500 BC)


pre-pottery time period

transition from hunting-gathering to food production

domestication of several species of plants and animals


EARLY HUNTER PERIOD
(11,000 to 7000 BC)


initial peopling of the region, probably by groups moving south from North America

mobile populations of big-game hunters initially, followed by mobile populations of generalized hunter-gatherers

 

timeline

Figure 1. Timeline of Mesoamerican Archaeological Cultures.
http://www.mesoweb.com/resources/timelines/crystal_timeline.html

 

 


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Last updated on November 1, 2006
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