Mesoamerica is a region that is located in the southern part of North America stretching from Central Mexico to Central America This area has a long and rich history extending back to pre-Columbian times. The term Mesoamerica is derived from “meso” meaning middle and “america” meaning America. The region was home to countless cultures and civilizations, including the Olmec, Maya, Mixtec, and Aztec.
The Olmecs were among the earliest Mesoamerican civilizations, emerging in the Gulf Coast region of Mexico around 1500 BC. They are thought to have played a major role in the development of the Mesoamerican culture. They made significant contributions to mathematics, writing, art, and architecture. They also developed the rubber-ball game of Mesoamerica, known as “pok-a-tok.”
The Maya are probably the best-known of all the Mesoamerican civilizations. Their culture flourished from about AD 250 to 900 in the lowlands of the Yucatan Peninsula and Central America, and their influence can still be seen in modern times. They made significant advances in astronomy, mathematics, and hieroglyphic writing. They also developed their own calendar, known as the Long Count, which began in 3114 BC and ends in 2012 AD, a fact which has given rise to much speculation about the possible end of the world.
The Mixtecs were a complex pre-Columbian civilization located in the Mixteca region of Oaxaca and Guerrero in southern Mexico. They emerged around 700 BC and are known for their beautiful stone mosaics and intricate gold jewelry. They were especially renowned for their achievements in agriculture, which included terrace farming and irrigation.
The Aztecs were a powerful and warlike native people who lived in Central Mexico from about 1200 AD to 1520. They are well known for their skillful engineering, including their construction of chinampas, or “floating gardens.” They also developed a complex calendar, numerals, and hieroglyphic writing. They are perhaps best known for their practice of human sacrifice.
Finally, the Zapotecs were an Oaxaca-based civilization who flourished from about 1500 BC to AD 1521. They developed a number of architectural styles, including pyramids, ball courts and plazas, and are also known for their advances in mathematics, astronomy, and writing. They are also renowned for their delicate stone sculptures and their use of colorful dye in textiles.