The materials used by Mesoamerican cultures serve as a sample of the way of life of the Olmec, Mayan and Aztec tribes, civilizations that lived between 1500 BC and 1500 AD
These cultures existed in what is now known as Mexico and some parts of Central America, including Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, and certain regions of Nicaragua.
You may be interested The 3 most important Mesoamerican cultures.
Materials used in the different Mesoamerican cultures
Olmec
The Olmec people were the first culture to find a style of art and architecture focused on the Pre-Classic period. Their settlements were located along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, where areas of forest were deforested for the construction of farms and mounds of earth used for political and religious purposes.
Most of the people lived in wooden and straw houses that were distributed around the ceremonial centers.
The most visible form of legacy left by this civilization are the stone heads that they created. These were built in basalt and showed unique facial features for what is believed to be portraits of their rulers.
These could measure more than 3 meters and weigh up to 8 tons. The stones with which they were built were transported from places up to 80 kilometers away. Jade and ceramics were also popular materials, as was wood.
Some examples of works are found very well preserved in the El Manatí swamps.
Teotihuacan
Teotihuacán became the first urban center in Mesoamerica, reaching a size of 23 square kilometers at its peak of development from 350 to 650.
Its population completed about 200,000 inhabitants making it the largest city in the world at the time. This center flourished thanks to the thriving obsidian market and farms grown in the fertile soil of the region.
By 750, the ceremonial center suffered a fire and society in general went into decline from there for reasons still unknown. The ceremonial center was maintained thanks to the Aztecs, who preserved it until 1500.
The Teotihuacán culture used jade, basalt, and andesite to create detailed masks. These were especially polished and details such as eyes, created with shells or obsidian, were added.
The masks were also created in clay and were used to adorn statues. The pottery was made with orange clay decorated with stucco, which was in high demand throughout the region. The statues representing their gods could be as high as 3.2 meters and made from basalt lava.
Maya
The Mayan culture reached its peak during the Classic Period, in which impressive advances were made. During this period between 50 and 950, the imposing cities of Chichen Itzá and Uxmal were built.
In this period there were significant advances in mathematics, astronomy, architecture, and the visual arts.
Mayan art is considered one of the most sophisticated and beautiful in this region and ranges from small pieces carved in obsidian, to the great pyramids. The painting was composed of delineation and filling on paper and plaster, carvings on wood and stone, and models on clay and stucco.
The technical process of metalworking was also highly developed, but because the material was not very abundant in the area, its use was restricted to ornamental.
The materials used for Mayan construction were normally some types of stones found in the area surrounding the city.
The best known of these materials is limestone, which was quite abundant in all the settlements of this culture. Quarries have been found just outside their cities, which were sources for the building blocks.
The Mayan people also used mortar in their construction projects. This was made from the burning of limestone in a very technical process. This material was used for the completion of the facades of the buildings, to cover the floors and to make sculptures.
Aztec
The Aztec Empire with its capital in Tenochtitlán, dominated most of Mesoamerica during 1400 and 1600 AD. In this city, located where Mexico City is located today, was where the most impressive pieces of architecture and art were found.
After the Spanish conquest, this site was looted, demolished and its materials used to build the modern city.
The Aztecs were adept builders and craftsmen, using chisels, hard stones, and obsidian blades as materials. However, in the more recent constructions of Tenochtitlán, the Aztecs began to focus on the solidity of the buildings due to the poor subsoil for the constructions.
Tezontle, which is a strong but light volcanic rock, was used extensively. This was very popular because it was very easy to cut and its texture and color were striking. It was also used in the construction of monumental buildings to fill their walls and cover their roofs.
Most of the materials used by the Aztecs were found in the region or acquired through barter.
Rock chips, plaster, adobo, and lime to make stucco were also commonly used. On the outskirts of Tenochtitlán, people used wood such as pine and oak to make wooden beams and doors.
Other pieces of art were created in materials such as carnelite, pearls, amethyst, rock crystal, obsidian, shells, and jade.
Turquoise was one of the favorite materials to cover sculptures and masks. One of the most appreciated elements was the exotic feathers, especially the green plumage of the quetzal bird. These were cut into small pieces and used to create mosaics, shields, costumes, and hats.
References
- Encyclopedia Britannica. Mesoamerican architecture. global.britannica.com.
- Cartwright, Mark. Olmec Civilization. August 30, 2013. ancient.eu.
- -. Teotihuacan. February 17, 2015. ancient.eu.
- Pennsylvania State University. Mayan Architecture. courses.psu.edu.
- Crystal Links. Mayan Art and Architecture. crystalinks.com.
- Moreno, Manuel Aguilar. Aztec Architecture. famsi.org.
- Cartwright, Mark. Ancient Encyclopedia. Aztec Art. January 6, 2014. ancient.eu.