ECONOMY, SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND DAILY LIFE IN THE POSTCLASSIC - HISTORY - 2024

The economy, social structure and daily life in the Postclassic of the Mesoamerican period were impregnated with a powerful notion of lineage, identity and cultural dignity that has survived to this day as an example of struggle and respect for the self-determination of peoples.

From the year 800 a. C. until 1521 d. C., it is considered that the so-called Postclassic period passed in Mesoamerica, which began in the last stage of its independence, continued with the formation of the Triple Alliance and culminated with the arrival of the Spanish conquerors, led by Hernán Cortés.

It is considered that the Postclassic in Mesoamerica spanned from 800 BC. C. until 1521 d. C. Source: Mesoamérica.png: Yavidaxiuderivative work: DavoO

This period is divided into two phases: the early and the late. In the first phase, the new settlements were predominant, which ended up generating a highly advanced civilization.

In the second phase, the military and trade spheres had greater relevance, which eventually led to the subjugation of Mesoamerica by the Spanish conquerors.

Stages of the Postclassic period

Early postclassic

The settlements of the semi-nomadic communities that moved from the north proliferated, this as a result of migrations and wars.

They joined the ancient inhabitants of the region and ended up absorbing traits of the classical period, giving rise to one of the most advanced and developed civilizations on the American continent.

Late postclassic

Product of the military exercise and trade, in this stage the so-called Triple Alliance emerged, a powerful political figure that accentuated the domination and payment of tributes over the most fragile peoples.

This facilitated the colonialist invasion, and these subdued and weak peoples joined the conquerors who arrived in the name of King Carlos I of Spain.

The fierce battles waged unequally and at a disadvantage for the Mesoamerican Indians against the soldiers who carried firearms, managed to bring down and subdue the invaded regions.

Economy

Agriculture prevailed as the source of the economy from the pre-Hispanic period to the Postclassic. The techniques of cultivation, fertilization and exchange of sowings were implemented in order not to impoverish the fertile soils.

Some regions had a better irrigation system, improving land use. The hydraulic systems they built, the fields and irrigation canals were highly technological for the time.

The chinampas were the main cultivation systems and occurred in the most fertile lands, located in the Valley of Mexico.

Trade spread throughout most of the Mesoamerican territory and the practice of barter was a model of regular transaction. Cocoa and the feathers of exotic birds served as currency in this commercial exchange.

Corn was a product that, for the peoples of Mesoamerica, was not only a usable food and without waste for consumption, but also had a symbolic character within their beliefs about the cosmogony of their peoples.

This is so because in their myths and legends the figure of the corn men represented their settlement process as a civilization.

Social structure

The pyramid was the predominant social structure in these civilizations; power was exercised from the top down.

The Aztecs

They had a structure of social forces and a system of control. The hierarchy was rigorous, with a ruler considered a demigod, priests and military, as well as high-ranking officials. Merchants, peasants, artisans and slaves were part of society.

The Incas

They had a society organized by the Inca monarch and then his family followed. Below these were located the administrative bureaucracy, the clergy or priests, the military, the accountants, the artisans, the slaves and the peasants.

The mayans

They had a markedly hierarchical social structure. Each of its city-states was ruled by a maximum authority from a hereditary dynasty.

This authority figure was called "real man." This was assisted by the council of notables, made up of the main chiefs and the high priests.

At the top of its pyramid were the noble families and from there arose the ruler, heir to a noble caste. The main administrative and military positions were dominated by the relatives of the founder of the clan. In addition, each village had a chief who performed military, religious and civil functions.

The lower class engaged in agriculture and public works. It paid taxes and was made up of artisans and peasants. At the bottom of the pyramid were prisoners of war, slaves, criminals, and tax offenders. They were offered as blood sacrifices to the gods.

Daily life

For Mesoamericans, the day they were born determined their lives and the gods who would rule their destinies. It was important that their heads be flattened, so they tied a couple of boards to the children's heads for days. When they got older, the children were educated at home until they were old enough to go to the fields to work the land.

Among their daily tasks was cutting down trees with a stone ax to build fences that prevented animals from eating the growing plants.

The young people worked and removed the soil with sticks that were hardened by fire, preparing them with the plow for planting. Later, men and women prepared to plant corn in all the fields.

When the corn grew about two feet, they proceeded to plant beans near each corn plant; this enriched the soil.

While the parents worked, the children were tied in their cradle to the shady trees. At the end of the day, young people and adults returned with a load of corn. Food was served to the men and then the women ate. Then they went to sleep together in the same room.

The priests cared for the sick, prayed and used sangrías as well as medicinal plants.

Mortuary rituals

If someone died, they would wrap their body in sheets and put corn in their mouth so that they would have food in their other life. They were buried in the patios of their houses accompanied by their personal belongings.

The nobles kept the ashes of their deceased in large vessels and were worshiped and respected as gods.

Other customs

- Mothers educated their daughters at home.

- Adultery and alcoholism were strongly punished.

- They had a school for the rich (Calmeca) and one for the common people (Tepochcalli).

- The nobles had moral obligations: do not make noises, chew slowly, do not spit or sneeze. Nor could they address people other than themselves.

References

1. "Mesoamerica, Postclassic Period" in Universal History. Retrieved on February 27, 2019 from Krismar: krismar-educa.com.mx
2. "Mesoamerican Postclassic Period" in Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved on February 27, 2019 from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: es.wikipedia.org
3. “Economy in Mesoamerica” in the History of Mexico 1. Retrieved on February 27, 2019 from the National Autonomous University of Mexico: portalacademico.cch.unam.mx
4. "Postclassic in Mesoamerica" ​​at Escolares.net. Retrieved on February 27, 2019 from Schoolchildren. Net: escolar.net
5. "Late Postclassic" in the University Digital Magazine. Retrieved on February 28, 2019 from Revista Digital Universitaria: revista.unam.mx
6. “History, Geography and Social Sciences, Pre-Hispanic Peoples: Mayas. In Icarito. Retrieved on February 28, 2019 from Icarito: icarito.cl