List of archaeological periods (Mesoamerica)

Edit links
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Periods in Mesoamerican history
 
Lithic period before 8000 BCE
Archaic period 8000 BCE– 2000 BCE
Preclassic period 2000 BCE– 250 CE
Classic period 250 CE– 900 CE
Postclassic period900 CE–1500 CE
Columbian era after 1500 CE
See also
Main article: Mesoamerican chronology

The chronology of

Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica
is usually divided into the following eras:

Five Stage Classification

One of the most enduring classifications of archaeological periods & cultures was established in Gordon Willey and Philip Phillips' 1958 book Method and Theory in American Archaeology. They divided the archaeological record in the Americas into 5 phases. These are:

Tabular list

Paleo-Indian
(10,000–3500 BCE
) 		Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, obsidian and pyrite points, Iztapan
Archaic
(3500–1800 BCE) 		Agricultural settlements,
Tehuacán
Preclassic (Formative)
(2000 BCE–250 CE) 		The start of states. The first large scale ceremonial architecture, development of cities.

(Olmecs; Unknown culture in La Blanca and Ujuxte, Monte Alto culture)

Early Preclassic Olmec area:
San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan; Central Mexico: Chalcatzingo; Valley of Oaxaca: San José Mogote. The Maya area: Nakbe, Cerros
 2000–1000 BCE
Middle Preclassic Olmec area:
Kaminaljuyú, Uaxactun; Valley of Oaxaca: Monte Albán
 1000–400 BCE
Late Preclassic Maya area:
Rio Azul; Central Mexico: Teotihuacan; Gulf Coast: Epi-Olmec culture
 400 BCE–200 CE
Classic
(200–900 CE) 		Height of the nation-states.

(Classic Maya centers, Teotihuacan, Zapotecs)

Early Classic Maya area: Calakmul, Caracol, Chunchucmil, Copán, Naranjo, Palenque, Quiriguá, Tikal, Uaxactun, Yaxha; Teotihuacan apogee; Zapotec apogee. 200–600 CE
Late Classic Maya area:
Cancuen, Aguateca; Central Mexico: Xochicalco, Cacaxtla, Cholula; Gulf Coast: El Tajín and Classic Veracruz culture
 600–900 CE
Terminal Classic Maya area: Puuc sites – Uxmal, Labna, Sayil, Kabah 800–900/1000 CE
Postclassic
(900–1519 CE) 		Collapse of many of the great nations and cities of the Classic Era. Formation of new kingdoms and empires.

(

K'iche', Kaqchikel, Poqomam, Mam
)

Early Postclassic Tula, Mitla, Tulum, Topoxte, Chichen Itza 900–1200 CE
Late Postclassic
Utatlán, Iximche, Mixco Viejo, Zaculeu
 1200–1519 CE
Post Conquest
(Until 1697 CE) 		Central Peten:
Tayasal, Zacpeten

See also

References

  • Gordon R. Willey and Philip Phillips (1957). Method and Theory in American Archaeology. University of Chicago Press.
    ISBN 0-226-89888-1
    .
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_archaeological_periods_(Mesoamerica)&oldid=1094049277"