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History Of Mexico: PreColumbian, Olmec Civilization, Maya And Aztecs
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Published: January 21, 2008
When most people think of the ancient citizens of Mexico, they usually visualize barbaric people who practiced human sacrifice to appease the gods. Although this may have been a significant component of their culture, the pre-Columbian civilizations of Mexico were responsible for many advances in mathematics, astronomy, and other complex studies.
These elaborate civilizations would provide the foundation of Mexico.
The earliest people living in the Americas were known as the Olmec Civilization. Living between 1250 B.C. and 400 B.C., they provided the foundation of later cultures of Mexico. The Olmecs resided in the areas of Veracruz and Tabasco where they developed different writing systems and a 365-day calendar. Elaborate cities such as San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan served as the religious and trading centers of the Olmec culture. Their primary trading goods included cocoa, rubber, and salt. The Olmec’s appreciation for stone carving is demonstrated through their 20-ton basalt-carved heads that they left behind. Historians do not know why the Olmec disappeared but they do know parts of their society were burrowed by later inhabitants of Mexico.
The next empire to rise in Mexico was the Mayan Empire. Although they lived during a much larger time period, the Maya exerted the most influence between 200 B.C. and A.D. 1000. During this time, they created a number of city-states including Palenque and Tikal. Their advanced writing system and knowledge of mathematics make them unique among the many early peoples of ancient Mexico. In fact, the Maya were the first to create a numeric system that utilized the concept of zero. Because of their success, they occupied southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and the Yucatan Peninsula.
Among the most recognizable of the Mexico’s pre-Columbian peoples are the Aztecs. They referred to themselves as the “Mexicas” and believed they were the chosen people of war god Huitzilopochtli. Appearing in the late 13 century AD, These early inhabitants of Mexico lived in highly organized communities that were led by the king and the noble class. The warrior class and the merchants also were significant members of this society. Although they had a complex understanding of the sciences, the Aztecs are most well-known for their human sacrifices. They believed human sacrifices to the sun god would ensure the sun would rise everyday. Through military training and alliances with neighboring city-states, the Aztecs created the largest empire in Mesoamerica
The ancient civilizations of Mexico brought must more to the Americas than ritual sacrifice. The interworkings of these societies demonstrate their sophisticated way of life. Their skills in the arts and sciences make them a profound part of Mexico’s rich history.
Sources:
Barroqueiro, Silverio A. “The Aztecs: A Pre-Columbian History.” Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute. 2008. 17 Jan. 2008. http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1999/2/ 99.02.01.x.html.
“History of Olmec Civilization.” Buzzle.com. 2000-2008. 17 Jan. 2008. http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/12-1-2005-82836.a sp.
“Mexico’s History: The Pre-Columbian Era.” Mexperience. 2007. 17 Jan. 2008. http://www.mexperience.com/history/pre_columbian.h tm.
Palfrey, Dale Hoyte. “The Post Classic Era (900-1521 AD) – Part 2.” Mexico Connect. 1996-2007. 17 Jan. 2008. http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/hpostclassic2.html.
The earliest people living in the Americas were known as the Olmec Civilization. Living between 1250 B.C. and 400 B.C., they provided the foundation of later cultures of Mexico. The Olmecs resided in the areas of Veracruz and Tabasco where they developed different writing systems and a 365-day calendar. Elaborate cities such as San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan served as the religious and trading centers of the Olmec culture. Their primary trading goods included cocoa, rubber, and salt. The Olmec’s appreciation for stone carving is demonstrated through their 20-ton basalt-carved heads that they left behind. Historians do not know why the Olmec disappeared but they do know parts of their society were burrowed by later inhabitants of Mexico.
The next empire to rise in Mexico was the Mayan Empire. Although they lived during a much larger time period, the Maya exerted the most influence between 200 B.C. and A.D. 1000. During this time, they created a number of city-states including Palenque and Tikal. Their advanced writing system and knowledge of mathematics make them unique among the many early peoples of ancient Mexico. In fact, the Maya were the first to create a numeric system that utilized the concept of zero. Because of their success, they occupied southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and the Yucatan Peninsula.
Among the most recognizable of the Mexico’s pre-Columbian peoples are the Aztecs. They referred to themselves as the “Mexicas” and believed they were the chosen people of war god Huitzilopochtli. Appearing in the late 13 century AD, These early inhabitants of Mexico lived in highly organized communities that were led by the king and the noble class. The warrior class and the merchants also were significant members of this society. Although they had a complex understanding of the sciences, the Aztecs are most well-known for their human sacrifices. They believed human sacrifices to the sun god would ensure the sun would rise everyday. Through military training and alliances with neighboring city-states, the Aztecs created the largest empire in Mesoamerica
The ancient civilizations of Mexico brought must more to the Americas than ritual sacrifice. The interworkings of these societies demonstrate their sophisticated way of life. Their skills in the arts and sciences make them a profound part of Mexico’s rich history.
Sources:
Barroqueiro, Silverio A. “The Aztecs: A Pre-Columbian History.” Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute. 2008. 17 Jan. 2008. http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1999/2/ 99.02.01.x.html.
“History of Olmec Civilization.” Buzzle.com. 2000-2008. 17 Jan. 2008. http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/12-1-2005-82836.a sp.
“Mexico’s History: The Pre-Columbian Era.” Mexperience. 2007. 17 Jan. 2008. http://www.mexperience.com/history/pre_columbian.h tm.
Palfrey, Dale Hoyte. “The Post Classic Era (900-1521 AD) – Part 2.” Mexico Connect. 1996-2007. 17 Jan. 2008. http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/hpostclassic2.html.
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