This essay provides a broad overview of the different periods of Mesoamerican history.
North America to c. 1500
The Mogollon tradition of the Greater Southwest was diverse, expansive, and vibrant.
Introduction to Mogollon
Paquimé played a key role in trade and cultural contacts between the Pueblo culture of the southwestern United States and Mesoamerica.
Paquimé (Casas Grandes), Mogollon culture
El Tajin has survived as an outstanding example of the grandeur and importance of the pre-Hispanic cultures of Mexico.
El Tajín
From c. 100 B.C.E. to 1300 C.E., the Sierra de San Francisco was home to a people who left one of the most outstanding collections of rock paintings in the world.
Rock paintings of Sierra de San Francisco
The ruins of Quirigua contain some outstanding 8th-century monuments and an impressive series of carved stelae and sculpted calendars that constitute an essential source for the study of Mayan civilization.
Quiriguá
Xochicalco is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a fortified political, religious and commercial centre from the troubled period of 650–900
Xochicalco
The ruined citadel and imposing public squares reveal the three main stages of development before the city was abandoned in the early 10th century.
Copán
The ceremonial center of Tikal contains superb temples and palaces, and public squares accessed by means of ramps.
Tikal
Paquimé, Casas Grandes, which reached its apogee in the 14th and 15th centuries, played a key role in trade and cultural contacts between the Pueblo culture of the south-western United States and northern Mexico and the more advanced civilizations of Mesoamerica
Paquimé, Casas Grandes
This plaque is one of relatively few imported Maya objects ever found at Teotihuacan and indicates that interaction between the two cultures went both ways.
Plaque of a Maya king from Teotihuacan
The Pyramid of the Moon and Pyramid of the Sun are massive architectural constructions that tell us a lot about Teotihuacan culture
Pyramid of the Moon and Pyramid of ...
Life-size terracotta sculptures of the god of the underworld and eagle warriors were found in the House of the Eagles in the sacred precinct of the Aztec (Mexica) capital of Tenochtitlan
The House of the Eagles, and sculptures ...
Between 6000 and 1000 B.C.E., thousands of nomadic Native Americans travelled and lived along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, making enigmatic, carefully carved stones known today as bannerstones.
Bannerstones, an introduction
This pendant represents a nobleman wearing a necklace, earrings and a lip plug from which hangs a mask with three suspended bells
Gold pendant depicting a ruler, Mixtec
Offering vessels like this one have been found in the tombs of high-ranking Zapotec lords and noblewomen in the Oaxaca Valley in Mexico.
Ancestor figure, Zapotec
Cholula was known for its beautiful polychrome ceramics that included a wide range of symbols such as calendrical dates, hearts, hands, and knives
Pottery vessel, Mixteca-Puebla style
Mexica wooden slit drums (teponaztli) were generally decorated with designs in relief or carved to represent human figures or animals.
Wooden slit-drum (teponaztli)
Dogs are the most commonly portrayed animal in the art of Colima
Pottery dog, Colima culture
Ancient Mexico is renowned for the production of vivid greenstone mosaics
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