Preclassic Period (Central America)
(2500 BC to 200 AD)
What happened?
The Preclassical Period begins with the development of the first ceramic traditions in the west. Some researchers believe that the development is related to the links between South America and the coastal peoples of Mexico. The advent of ceramics is an indication of a sedentary society. The rise of agriculture marks the transition. Weaving originated during this time.
This period is preceded by the Archaic period and followed by the Classical period of Mesoamerican history. The era is divided into three phases. The early (2500 BC to 1200 BC), the middle (1500 BC to 600 BC) and the late (600 BC to 200 AD). Ceramic production was widespread throughout the region. Corn cultivation and other vegetables became common. Society began to gain social strata in a process that ended with the arrival of the first hierarchical societies along the coast of Mexico. The Capacha culture served as a driving force in the process of Mesoamerican civilization.
Small settlements developed in the lowlands of Guatemala near the Pacific Ocean. From 2000 BC. there is a large concentration of pottery along the Pacific coast. Some gigantic stone heads and potbelly sculptures dating back to 1800 BC were found.
About 1500 BC. many cultures went into decline, accompanied by assimilation into the other peoples with whom they had links. The Olmec and Tlatilco culture are an example of this. They exploited natural resources and grew maize. The Olmecs started with their first works of monumental architecture. They exchanged goods in their territory and others far away. During this time, the Chupícuaro culture flourished, while the Olmecs entered a period of decline. A major milestone that marked the mid-preclassical period is the development of the first writing system by the Maya, Olmec or Zapotec. The rise of regional elites was made possible by connections between different centers of power. These controlled the natural resources and farm labor. Social diversity was based on technical knowledge, such as astronomy, writing and trade. The urbanization process began, which would define the societies of the classical period.
Towards the end of the preclassical period, political and commercial rule shifted to the population centers in the Valley of Mexico. Several villages grew into real cities. By the turn of the century, hegemony had passed to Teotihuacan. The city marked its power and became the most important city in the Mesoamerican history of the first millennium in terms of politics, economy, and culture.
Figurative Terracotta Head Fragment, ± 1000 BC to ± 300 BC. Found: Guanajuato, Mexico (JN0523)
Maya - Chupícuaro
± 800 BC to ± 300 AD
Chupícuaro refers to a preclassical extensive site and culture in Mexico, dating to 800 BC to 300 AD. It was once the source of significant influence in Central Mexico. The production of ceramics is the main example. It included the current (2021) Mexican states of Jalisco, Nayarit, Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, and Guanajuato. The latter site is now under the water of an artificial lake created by the Solís Dam in 1949. It turned out to be a village cemetery with an abundance of pottery, jade, and figurines. The Instituto Nacional de Antropogía é Historia of Mexico has conducted excavations. It gave a glimpse into the life of the people who lived there. They devoted time and skills to making pottery figurines and other small artifacts. Trade divided these items and other cultures adopted their style.
The characteristically flat, human figures of this culture can also be realistically three-dimensional or formed in vessels. They were distinguished by their slanted, coffee-bean shaped eyes. Usually, the figurines are depicted as female. You can recognize this by a part in the middle of the hair or hair dress. They can be made with intricately shaped clothing and clay jewelry. The figurines remained unpainted. Occasionally they were decorated with bright colors. Many figurines were collected for display. The collection was then sold to private individuals. Many items were donated to the Museum of Natural and Cultural History in 1985.
Our item comes from a large collection of a professor from Tucson, Arizona. It was collected in the 1940s. The item was not stolen or counterfeited, never excavated, bought, traded, or sold in violation of the Federal Antiquities Act of 1906, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, laws protecting state archaeological resources, by the state-imposed regulations for archaeological excavations on private property. We now have unconditional legal ownership. Through this way we want to share the culture visually with all interested parties, so that such a historical object can be admired and protected like all our properties.