Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica is a historical region and cultural area in North America. It extends from approximately central Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica, and within this region pre-Columbian societies flourished before the Spanis…
Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire
The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, known as the Spanish–Mexica War, was one of the primary events in the Spanish colonization of the Americas. There are multiple 16th-century narratives of the events by Spanish conquerors, their indigenous allies and the defeated Aztecs. I…
Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia is a historical region of Western Asia situated within the Tigris–Euphrates river system, in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent, in modern days roughly corresponding to most of Iraq, Kuwait, the eastern parts of Syria, Southeastern Turkey, and regions along the Turki…
Which is Mesoamerica's oldest civilization?
The oldest civilization in Mesoamerica is the Olmec culture. It was located in the coastal region of the Gulf of Mexico, around 1800 BC. It is considered the Mother Culture of Mesoamerica, although the peculiar aspects of its origin remains an enigma.
What were early Mesoamerican cultures based around?
Mesoamerican lives were regulated by all of the following except: warfare and slavery. Early Mesoamerican cultures were based around: agriculture. All of the following are chronological divisions of pre-Columbian civilizations except for: neo-Classic. The oldest known pre-Columbian civilization was the:
What does Mesoamerican mean?
The term Mesoamerica is derived from the Greek and means "Middle America."It refers to a geographical and cultural area which extends from central Mexico down through Central America, including the territory which is now made up of the countries of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador.
Where did the Mesoamericans come from?
Where did the mesoamericans come from? Mesoamerica is a historical region and cultural area in North America. It extends from approximately central Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica, and within this region pre-Columbian societies flourished before the Spanish colonization of the Americas.
What were the Mesoamerican civilizations?
The historic region of Mesoamerica comprises the modern day countries of northern Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize, and central to southern Mexico. For thousands of years, this area was populated by groups such as the Olmec, Zapotec, Maya, Toltec, and Aztec peoples.
What is Mesoamerica known for?
Mesoamerica was the site of two of the most profound historical transformations in world history: primary urban generation, and the formation of New World cultures out of the long encounters among indigenous, European, African and Asian cultures.
What does Mesoamerican civilization mean?
Mesoamerican civilization, the complex of indigenous cultures that developed in parts of Mexico and Central America prior to Spanish exploration and conquest in the 16th century.
What is Mesoamerican and what was the first civilization there?
Mesoamerica is a region that stretches South from modern Mexico to northern Honduras. Several complex societies began here more than 3,000 years ago. The first civilization in Mesoamerica was that of the Olmec. They lived from 1200-400 BCE.
What is the origin of Mesoamerica?
The founding culture of Mesoamerica appeared along the southwestern curve of the Gulf of Mexico, near the present city of Veracruz. This culture emerged in a series of river valleys, as Uruk did in Mesopotamia. Called the Olmecs (the “rubber people”), this culture lasted from about 1400 BCE to 100 BCE.
What was the most important Mesoamerican civilizations?
The Aztecs were advanced engineers and established the only true empire in Mesoamerica. They conquered many and received tribute, creating great wealth.
What were the characteristics of Mesoamerica?
Some of the shared cultural traits among Mesoamerican peoples included a complex pantheon of deities, architectural features, a ballgame, the 260-day calendar, trade, food (especially a reliance on maize, beans, and squash), dress, and accoutrements (additional items that are worn or used by a person, such as earspools ...
How did Mesoamerican civilization influence the world?
The Native Americans supplied the Europeans with tobacco, maize, beans, tomatoes, and potatoes. These newly discovered foods had a stunning impact on the Old World, and their presence permanently changed the European diet. Not only did these crops change the European diet, they impacted the entire world.
What are the contribution of Mesoamerican civilizations?
In Meso-America the Maya civilization made the greatest progress in science and technology. Among its innovations were the position-value number system with zero, the development of the most accurate known calendar,the invention of rubber and the corbelled arch.
When did the Mesoamerican civilization begin?
about 1200 BCHISTORY OF MESOAMERICAN CIVILIZATION. The first civilization in central and north America develops in about 1200 BC in the coastal regions of the southern part of the Gulf of Mexico.
Who discovered Mesoamerica?
The term Mesoamerica was first used by Paul Kirchoff, a German-Mexican archaeologist who coined the term in 1943 and was instrumental in defining it. His definition was based on geographic limits, ethnic composition, and cultural characteristics at the time of the conquest.
When did Mesoamerica begin and end?
Archaeologists divide Mesoamerican civilizational development into three major time periods: the PreClassic or Formative period extending from 1500 B.C. - A.D. 300, the Classic period extending from A.D. 300-950, and the PostClassic period extending from A.D. 950-1521.
What were the characteristics of Mesoamerica?
Some of the shared cultural traits among Mesoamerican peoples included a complex pantheon of deities, architectural features, a ballgame, the 260-day calendar, trade, food (especially a reliance on maize, beans, and squash), dress, and accoutrements (additional items that are worn or used by a person, such as earspools ...
What were some of the major achievements of Mesoamerican civilizations?
This is Expert Verified Answer #1 They had a highly advanced numeral system with place values. #2 Maya mathematics was far ahead of Europe for many centuries. #3 The had a sophisticated and complex calendar. #4 The Maya were great astronomers.
How did Mesoamerican civilization influence the world?
The Native Americans supplied the Europeans with tobacco, maize, beans, tomatoes, and potatoes. These newly discovered foods had a stunning impact on the Old World, and their presence permanently changed the European diet. Not only did these crops change the European diet, they impacted the entire world.
What was the greatest contribution of Mesoamerican revolution?
In Meso-America the Maya civilization made the greatest progress in science and technology. Among its innovations were the position-value number system with zero, the development of the most accurate known calendar,the invention of rubber and the corbelled arch.
Characteristics of Mesoamerican civilizations
Mesoamerican civilizations planted corn, chili, and beans, among others.
What language did they speak in Mesoamerica?
The different Mesoamerican peoples developed a wide diversity of languages , it is estimated that there were more than a hundred different languages . Therefore, the writing systems were also very different according to each ethnic group.
Contributions of Mesoamerican civilizations
The Olmec calendar was adapted by the rest of the Mesoamerican cultures.
What civilizations were in Mesoamerica?
Ancient Mesoamerica (modern-day Mexico and Central America) witnessed an extraordinary flourishing of cultures from the beginnings of the Olmec civilization around 1200 BCE, through the Maya civilization and on to the catastrophic fall of the Aztec civilization in the 16th century CE. Great cities were built with towering pyramids, ...
What happened to the Teotihuacan?
Mysteriously, around 600 CE, the major buildings of Teotihuacan were deliberately destroyed by fire, and artworks and religious sculptures were smashed in what must have been a complete changing of the ruling elite. The destroyers may have been from the rising city of Xochicalco or from within in an uprising motivated by a scarcity in resources, perhaps acerbated by extensive deforestation, soil erosion, and drought. Whatever the reason, after this climatic event, the wider city remained populated for another two centuries but its regional dominance became only a memory.
What are the elements that all civilizations in Mesoamerica have in common?
Another element that almost every civilization in Mesoamerica had in common was the pyramids . Those megalithic structures played a pivotal role in Mesoamerican religion, as they represented a symbolic form of coming closer to heaven and to their deities.
Why is the architecture of Mesoamerican civilization so special?
The architecture of Mesoamerican civilization is one of the most particular ones, since it has its own elements that are not repeated in any other culture around the world. These megalithic structures arose in response to the population boom that each town had at some point in its history.
What civilization saw the rise and fall of many cultures?
Mesoamerican civilization saw the rise and fall of many cultures. Read more to learn about its defining characteristics through time.
What did the Mesoamericans use to preserve knowledge?
They used it to preserve knowledge, like the memories of their rulers and gods, the cycles of time, and outstanding historical events.
What are the characteristics of Mesoamerica?
One of the most distinctive features of Mesoamerica is the presence of a governmental organization like the State. It was an institution that managed to integrate a delimited territory with a population that shared traditions and a hierarchical political structure. At the head of this political structure was a supreme ruler, which was called in many cases “Chieftain” or “Warlord.”
What were the elements of Mesoamerica?
The cultures that lived in Mesoamerica had a complex system of beliefs that incorporated elements of nature, such as earth, air, and fire. The astral aspects such as the sun, constellations, and stars, were another common element used by them.
What were the crops that the Mesoamericans grew?
As for the grains that were planted by the Mesoamericans, we have corn, chili, beans, and squash. As far as their food habit is concerned, each culture had variants in their daily menu, but they shared many customs and characteristics. Some of these costumes included a strict diet based on the grains they grew, and vegetables such as tomato, potato, nopales, and avocado.
What is the Mesoamerican civilization?
Mesoamerican civilization. The term Mesoamerica denotes the part of Mexico and Central America that was civilized in pre-Spanish times. In many respects, the American Indians who inhabited Mesoamerica were the most advanced native peoples in the Western Hemisphere. The northern border of Mesoamerica runs west from a point on the Gulf coast ...
Where is Mesoamerica located?
On the southeast, the boundary extends from northwestern Honduras on the Caribbean across to the Pacific shore in El Salvador. Thus, about half of Mexico, all of Guatemala and Belize, and parts of Honduras and El Salvador are included in Mesoamerica. Principal sites of Mesoamerican civilization. Geographically and culturally, Mesoamerica consists ...
What are the two main areas of Mesoamerica?
Principal sites of Mesoamerican civilization. Geographically and culturally, Mesoamerica consists of two strongly contrasted regions: highland and lowland. The Mexican highlands are formed mainly by the two Sierra Madre ranges that sweep down on the east and west.
What are the lowlands of Mesoamerica?
The lowlands are primarily coastal. Particularly important was the littoral plain extending south along the Gulf of Mexico, expanding to include the Petén- Yucatán Peninsula, homeland of the Mayan peoples. Agriculture in Mesoamerica was advanced and complex.
How many heavens were there in Mesoamerica?
Also characteristic was a layered system of 13 heavens and nine underworlds, each with its presiding god. Much of the system was under the control of a priesthood that also maintained an advanced knowledge of astronomy. Some seven Mesoamerican language families and three language isolates were found in Mesoamerica.
Which family played a great role in Mesoamerican civilization?
The modern Mexican state of Oaxaca is now the centre of the heterogeneous Otomanguean phylum; but the only linguistic groups of that family that played a great part in Mesoamerican civilization were the Mixtec and Zapotec, both of which had large, powerful kingdoms at the time of the Spanish conquest.
Did terraces have farming?
In addition, terraces were constructed and employed for farming in some lowland regions. Nevertheless, the demographic potential for agriculture was probably always greater in the highlands than it was in the lowlands, and this was demonstrated in the more extensive urban developments in the former area.
Where did Mesoamerica come from?
Suzanne Barbezat. Updated July 01, 2019. The term Mesoamerica is derived from the Greek and means "Middle America.". It refers to a geographical and cultural area which extends from central Mexico down through Central America, including the territory which is now made up of the countries of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador.
Who coined the term "Mesoamerica"?
The term Mesoamerica was first used by Paul Kirchoff, a German-Mexican archaeologist who coined the term in 1943 and was instrumental in defining it. His definition was based on geographic limits, ethnic composition, and cultural characteristics at the time of the conquest.
What are the five cultural areas of Mesoamerica?
More about Mesoamerica. Mesoamerica is commonly divided into five different cultural areas: West Mexico, the Central Highlands, Oaxaca, the Gulf region, and the Maya area . The term Mesoamerica was originally coined by Paul Kirchhoff, a German-Mexican anthropologist, in 1943.
How many periods are there in Mesoamerica?
The history of Mesoamerica is divided into three major periods. Archaeologists break these down into smaller sub-periods, but for general understanding, these three are the major ones to comprehend. The Pre-Classic period stretches from 1500 B.C. to 200 A.D. During this period there was a refinement of agricultural techniques which allowed ...
What term is used to describe the development of Mexico?
Cultural anthropologists and archaeologists mainly use the term Mesoamerica, but it is handy for visitors to Mexico to be familiar with it when trying to grasp an understanding of how Mexico developed over time and the different ancient civilizations that originated here.
What is the mother culture of Mesoamerica?
The Olmec civilization , which is sometimes referred to as the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica, developed during this period, and some of the great urban centers of the following period were founded during this time. The Classic period, from 200 to 900 A.D., saw the development of great urban centers with the centralization of power.
Where did the Aztecs settle?
The Aztecs had previously been a nomadic tribe, but they settled in central Mexico and founded their capital city Tenochtitlan in 1325, and rapidly came to dominate most of Mesoamerica. This was the group that held most of the power at the time of the arrival of the Spaniards.
What is Mesoamerica defined by?
Page 9 of the Dresden Codex (from the 1880 Förstermann edition) As a cultural area, Mesoamerica is defined by a mosaic of cultural traits developed and shared by its indigenous cultures.
Where is Mesoamerica located?
For other uses, see Mesoamerica (disambiguation). Mesoamerica is a historical region and cultural area in North America. It extends from approximately central Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica.
How did Mesoamerica compensate for its environmental inadequacies?
For this reason, from the last centuries of the Archaic period (8000 BC– 1000 BC) onward, regions compensated for the environmental inadequacies by specializing in the extraction of certain abundant natural resources and then trading them for necessary unavailable resources through established commercial trade networks.
What diseases did the colonists in Mesoamerica have?
In the 16th century, Eurasian diseases such as smallpox and measles, which were endemic among the colonists but new to North America, caused the deaths of upwards of 90% of the indigenous people, resulting in great losses to their societies and cultures. Mesoamerica is one of the five areas in the world where ancient civilization arose independently (see cradle of civilization ), and the second in the Americas. Norte Chico (Caral-Supe) in present-day Peru, arose as an independent civilization in the northern coastal region.
What is the meaning of the word "Mesoamerica"?
The term Mesoamerica literally means "middle America" in Greek. Middle America often refers to a larger area in the Americas, but it has also previously been used more narrowly to refer to Mesoamerica. An example is the title of the 16 volumes of The Handbook of Middle American Indians. "Mesoamerica" is broadly defined as the area that is home to the Mesoamerican civilization, which comprises a group of peoples with close cultural and historical ties. The exact geographic extent of Mesoamerica has varied through time, as the civilization extended North and South from its heartland in southern Mexico.
Why is sacrifice important in Mesoamerica?
Sacrifice had great importance in the social and religious aspects of Mesoamerican culture. First, it showed death transformed into the divine. Death is the consequence of a human sacrifice, but it is not the end; it is but the continuation of the cosmic cycle. Death creates life—divine energy is liberated through death and returns to the gods, who are then able to create more life. Secondly, it justifies war, since the most valuable sacrifices are obtained through conflict. The death of the warrior is the greatest sacrifice and gives the gods the energy to go about their daily activities, such as the bringing of rain. Warfare and capturing prisoners became a method of social advancement and a religious cause. Finally, it justifies the control of power by the two ruling classes, the priests and the warriors. The priests controlled the religious ideology, and the warriors supplied the sacrifices. Historically it was also in discussion that those sacrificed were chosen by the gods, this idea of being "chosen" was decided by the gods. This was then displayed by acts, such as being struck by lightning. If someone was struck by lightning and a sacrifice was needed they would often be chosen by their population, as they believed they were chosen by the gods.
What are the rivers in Mesoamerica?
The longest river in Mesoamerica is the Usumacinta, which forms in Guatemala at the convergence of the Salinas or Chixoy and La Pasion River and runs north for 970 km (600 mi)—480 km (300 mi) of which are navigable—eventually draining into the Gulf of Mexico. Other rivers of note include the Rio Grande de Santiago, the Grijalva River, the Motagua River, the Ulúa River, and the Hondo River. The northern Maya lowlands, especially the northern portion of the Yucatán peninsula, are notable for their nearly complete lack of rivers (largely due to the absolute lack of topographic variation). Additionally, no lakes exist in the northern peninsula. The main source of water in this area is aquifers that are accessed through natural surface openings called cenotes .
