Mesoamerica: Introduction

Relevance of the Theme

Mesoamerica, the region that corresponds to the central and southern part of present-day Mexico and Central America, played a fundamental role in the development of pre-Columbian civilizations. Among these civilizations, the Maya, Aztecs, and Olmecs stand out, whose contributions in the fields of agriculture, architecture, mathematics, calendar, and writing had a significant influence on human history.

Exploring Mesoamerica and its civilizations is therefore a study of the foundation of American history, providing a crucial understanding of human and cultural development on this continent before contact with Europeans.

Contextualization

The approach to Mesoamerica fits into the broad context of the discipline of History, specifically in the study of the great civilizations of Antiquity. It allows students to understand the diversity and richness of human cultures, as well as the complexity of historical processes.

In the curriculum, Mesoamerica is generally studied after the unit on 'Pre-Colonial History of Brazil', in order to establish the continuity and diversity of American peoples before European colonization. Furthermore, this introduction is complemented by later studies of the Inca, Viking, and Byzantine civilizations, deepening students' understanding of pre-modern civilizations.

Theoretical Development

• Geographical Location of Mesoamerica

  Mesoamerica includes the south and center of Mexico, as well as parts of Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Bounded by various natural borders, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, Mesoamerica is an area rich in natural resources, which contributed to the formation of complex societies and great civilizations.

  

• Chronology of Mesoamerican Civilizations

  • Olmecs (2000 BCE - 400 BCE): Considered the 'mother culture' of Mesoamerica, they developed agriculture practices and built monuments and urban complexes.

  • Zapotecs (500 BCE - 800 CE): Famous for monumental architecture and writing, they used a complex calendar similar to the Maya.

  • Teotihuacan (200 BCE - 650 CE): Built the Pyramid of the Sun and the Moon and established one of the first great cities of Mesoamerica.

  • Maya (2000 BCE - 1500 CE): Known for monumental architecture, hieroglyphic writing, and the precision of their calendar.

  • Toltecs (900 - 1175 CE): Recognized as a major influence on the Maya and Aztecs. They developed military art and built the city of Tula.

  • Aztecs (1200 - 1521 CE): Built Tenochtitlan, one of the largest cities in the world. They formed a vast empire through conquests and political agreements.

• Contributions of Mesoamerican Civilizations

  • Advanced Agriculture: Developed sophisticated irrigation and terrace cultivation techniques, helping to feed their growing populations.

  • Writing and Calendar: Implemented various writing systems, including Maya hieroglyphic writing, and created highly accurate calendars.

  • Monumental Architecture: Built impressive pyramids, palaces, and other buildings, some of which still stand today.

  • Numerical and Mathematical System: Created a numbering system based on 20 and developed the concept of zero.

Key Terms

• Mesoamerica: Region corresponding to the central and southern part of present-day Mexico and Central America. It is the cradle of the great pre-Columbian civilizations.

• Olmecs: First major civilization to develop in Mesoamerica. They are known as the 'mother culture' for their influences on other civilizations.

• Maya, Aztecs, and Olmecs: Main civilizations of Mesoamerica that contributed significantly to the history and culture of the region.

• Teotihuacan: One of the first great cities of Mesoamerica. It is known for the construction of the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon.

• Toltecs: Civilization that strongly influenced the Maya and Aztecs. Famous for their military art.

Examples and Cases

• Maya Architecture: Temple I in Tikal, Guatemala, and El Castillo in Chichen Itza, Mexico are beautiful examples of Maya architecture.

• Maya Writing: The Codices, which are Maya manuscripts on bark paper or cotton paper, are excellent examples of the Maya writing system.

• Maya Numerical System: Representation of the number 19 in Maya numerals:

  

• Aztec Calendar: The Aztec calendar, known as the Sun Stone, is one of the most notable examples of the precision and complexity of the Mesoamerican calendar.

  

Always remember: Studying Mesoamerica is to understand the rich diversity of pre-Columbian civilizations and the contribution of these cultures to the advancement of humanity!