How well do you know the history of Mesoamerica?
Take the quiz. Archaeologists have dated human presence in Mesoamerica to possibly as early as 21,000 bce (though the dating of the Valsequillo finds on which that early date is based remains controversial). By 11,000 bce, hunting-and-gathering peoples occupied most of the New World south of the glacial ice cap covering northern North America.
When did the Mesoamerican civilization begin to shift toward sedentary agriculture?
The shift toward sedentary agriculture apparently began after about 7000 bce, when a dramatic global warming caused the glaciers to retreat and tropical forests to overtake the Mesoamerican grasslands.
How did the Toltecs rise to power in central Mexico?
After the collapse of classic Mesoamerican civilizations, the Toltecs rose to power in central Mexico between 900 and 1200, and their ascendance marked the rise of territorial warfare, combined arms, and highly militaristic society. They would have a great influence on the later Aztecs (Mexica).
How did the Aztecs conquer Mesoamerica?
The Aztecs established their capital Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco and used this combined approach to establish a huge tributary empire by war between 1300 and 1521. They eventually controlled much of Mesoamerica, notable exceptions being the west Mexican Tarascan kingdom, the Tlaxcallan kingdom, and the Maya lowlands.
What is the difference between Mesoamerica and the Andes?
Subsistence. Mesoamerica lacked animals suitable for domestication, most notably domesticated large ungulates. The lack of draft animals for transportation is one notable difference between Mesoamerica and the cultures of the South American Andes. Other animals, including the duck, dogs, and turkey, were domesticated.
What was the relationship between religion and agriculture in Mesoamerica?
The development of religion in Mesoamerica was also permanently intertwined with agriculture, as many of the gods were associated with sun, rain, fertility and crops. The rain god “Tlaloc” or “Chac” was a predominate god, particularly among the Maya, although widely worshiped throughout the region.
What are the Postclassic cultures in Mesoamerica?
Other important Postclassic cultures in Mesoamerica include the Totonac along the eastern coast (in the modern-day states of Veracruz, Puebla, and Hidalgo). The Huastec resided north of the Totonac, mainly in the modern-day states of Tamaulipas and northern Veracruz.