WHAT ARE THE CULTURAL HORIZONS OF MESOAMERICA? - HISTORY - 2025

The cultural horizons of Mesoamerica are the set of characteristic and temporal features that spatially define this region. The concept of Mesoamerican civilization refers to the complex of indigenous cultures that developed in parts of Mexico and Central America prior to Spanish exploration and conquest in the 16th century.

The organization of its kingdoms, empires, and other factors make it comparable to the civilizations of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China.

On the other hand, the term cultural horizons was originally used by the North American anthropologist Herbert J. Spinden.

Another American anthropologist, AL Kroeber, formalized the concept: a unified style that shows distinctive characteristics, so that its relationships with other, more local styles serve to locate them in relative time.

Main characteristics of the cultural horizons of Mesoamerica

The cultural horizons of Mesoamerica is a useful concept to place this region chronologically. These horizons are based on the evaluation of two basic measures: space and time.

Together, Mexican and North American archaeologists have developed a Chronological Table to date the different cultural horizons of Mesoamerica. It uses two criteria: stratified scans and Radiocarbon results.

In this way, a first cultural period has been identified represented by the hunters of extinct species such as the mammoth. The second phase is characterized by the discovery of agriculture.

Then, three periods are distinguished: Preclassic, Classic and Postclassic. These are briefly described below.

Preclassic Period

The Preclassic, also known as the Formative (approx. 2300 - 100 BC), has been divided into three periods: early, middle and late. The Early Preclassic period marks the beginnings of agriculture.

However, only part of their diet was supplied by domesticated crops. Another important part of this came from hunting, fishing and gathering. The social organization was simple, and it was based on subsistence

On the other hand, the Middle Preclassic dates from the interval between 1500 BC and 600 BC. It is characterized by the emergence of religious political centers and rural settlements in the periphery. In addition, monumental sculpture and public architecture begin to appear.

Finally, the Late Preclassic period comprises the period from approximately 600 to 100 BC.

The calendar system and hieroglyphic writing appear in the Oaxaca Valley and in the Olmec zone. In this period, the emergence of several centers of political and economic power with monumental architecture also stands out.

Classical period

In the Classic period (250 BC to 950 AD), the Mayan civilization was in full swing. Great achievements include distinctive writing and calendar systems, polychrome pottery, domed architecture, and public buildings with pyramids, palaces, and ball courts.

Its scholars maintained astronomical calculations, carried out sophisticated mathematical operations, and transmitted written texts. This period itself is defined by the appearance and use of ancient monuments.

Postclassic Period

The final period of Mesoamerican history is generally between 950 AD, and the arrival of the Spanish conqueror Hernán Cortés in 1519 or with his conquest of the Aztecs in 1521.

This has been characterized as a period of intense war and high military organization. It is also claimed that a secular form of government was predominant and that there was a general artistic decline.

References

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