Definition
Mesoamerica is the cultural region stretching from central Mexico through much of Central America, where a series of advanced civilizations developed before European contact. It is one of a small number of places worldwide where complex society and writing emerged independently.
The Olmec, Maya, Zapotec, Toltec, and Aztec cultures shared a common pool of traits, including monumental architecture, ritual calendars, ballgames, and maize-based agriculture.
Why it matters
How it works
Mesoamerican civilization rested on the domestication of maize, beans, and squash, which supported dense populations and the rise of cities such as Teotihuacan and Tenochtitlan. Religious life centered on cyclical calendars that tied agriculture, ritual, and political authority together. Despite the absence of metal tools and large draft animals, Mesoamerican societies built towering pyramids and extensive trade networks. The arrival of Spanish conquistadors, aided by epidemic disease and local alliances, ended the independent development of the region.