PRE-COLUMBIAN
CIVILIZATIONS
The migration of ancient peoples did not stop at the current modern -day
boundaries of North America. Ancient peoples continued their travels down
through Mexico, Central America, and into South America. Over thousands of
years, various advanced civilizations were established with temples, pyramids,
and cities. Ancient cultures that were located "south of the border" are referred
to as Pre-Columbian cultures, or those people who lived south of modern -day
United States in the time before the arrival of Columbus.
It is important to know that the migration of ancient peoples did not stop
at the current modern-day boundaries of North America. Ancient peoples
continued their travels down through Mexico, Central America, and into South
America. Over thousands of years, various advanced civilizations were
established with temples, pyramids, and cities. Ancient cultures located south of
the present-day United States border are referred to as Pre-Columbian
cultures. These people lived in the time before the arrival of Columbus.
The three most notable Pre-Columbian civilizations were those of the
Aztec, Maya, and Inca. Many of the Pre-Columbian cultures eventually ended
with European contact, dying out from warfare as well as disease, but all three of
these cultures left behind some of the most ornate and highly decorative artifacts
ever made.
(Left) Pataky polycrome "footed" urn from the Nicoya/Guanacaste area of Costa
Rica. This vessel features jaguar images at base and human facial features around
the body. The red around the mouth represents facial hair. Circa 1000 -1500 AD
(Right) Pataky style vessel from Nicoya, Costa Rica. Tri -leg Effigy Vase (Urn
Style) with extensive artwork and design. Composite effigy including human
arms and an avian face. Legs are adorned with Harpy Eagle heads. The artwork
on the front of this vessel depicts a human skull and bones. Circa 1000 -1500 A.D.
MAYA
The Maya were located in southern Mexico and into Central America.
Mayans had the only fully developed language of the pre-Columbian cultures.
This civilization also produced spectacular art, as well as sophisticated
mathematical and astronomical systems.
Gold may have ultimately led to the demise of the Maya. The Maya were
skilled craftsmen who possessed the ability to work the precious yellow metal
into highly detailed ornaments and figures. Precious metals such as gold and
silver were one of the main motivating factors that drew the Spanish to overtake
them. The last Mayan stronghold fell to th e Spanish Conquistadors in the late
1600's
A Saurian warrior figure gripping a spear. Found in Panama
INCA
Located south of the Aztec and Maya in the Andean Mountain range of
Peru, the Inca were a great civilization who formed an empire that would
eventually become the largest in pre-Columbian America. The Inca did not build
cities and the population was essentially rural with small villages and towns,
usually housing less than 1,000 people. The Inca Empire lasted from around
1100 until the Spanish conquest in the 1530's.
Inca Jug, ca. 1400 AD - 1530 AD, from Peru.
AZTEC
The Aztec inhabited the regions of southern Mexico and into Central
America and thrived in Mexico from 1175 AD to 1521 AD. The Aztec were master
flintknappers, able to create some of the finest blades. Stone knives, such as the
one pictured, were often used as offerings or in special rituals. The museum
houses many artifacts that depict important aspects of the Aztec way of
life. Some of the popular effigy ceramic forms displayed are armored warriors,
human figurines in various positions and several exotic animal vessels.
Aztec Ceremonial Blade.
COLIMA DOGS
One very unique meso-american artifact that occurs with great frequency
are canine vessels known as Colima Dogs. They are from Mexico and are
believed to be a relative of the Chihuahua and Mexican hairless breeds of dog
that we're familiar with today.
Colima dogs were known to have a variety of uses throughout their
centuries of existence, including food source, guardian to the dead, healer and
watchdog. There are two types of Colima Dog, one would be fattened up for food
or ritually sacrificed, and the other type is more of a pet, watchdog and even a
healer. The larger ones were meant as a food source and sometimes you'll see
them depicted with an ear of corn in their mouths for that reason.
Pre-Columbian Colima Dog vessel from Colima, Mexico. These were manufactured
in the Late Pre-Classical Period, 250 BC - 250 AD