Mesoamerica

Paper Summary:

This paper takes a look at the history of Mesoamerica. According to the paper, archaeological evidence showing signs of human habitation north of the Valley of Mexico indicates that the history of Mexico can be extended back at least 20,000 years. The paper looks at the development of the different civilizations that inhabited this region and era and discusses their art.

From the Paper:

"Much of the art of the region shows similar concerns and similar designs. The ancient mythic cultures of the Olmec, the Mayan, and the Aztecs, along with frescoes from different periods in Mexican history, show images of plumed coyotes, men with the shells of turtles, dogs wearing human masks, jaguars in scarves, arum flowers with pistils that are tiny men, geometrically shaped gods with large noses, and so on. Many of these have become iconic image and have been emulated by others in later periods."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Coe, Michael D. and Rex Koontz. Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1994.
• Coe, Michael D. The Maya. London: Thames and Hudson, 4th ed., 1987.
• Davies, Nigel. Human Sacrifice. New York: William Morrow, 1981.
• Hemming, John. The Conquest of the Incas. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1970.
• Henderson, John S. The World of the Ancient Maya. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1997.

More papers on Mesoamerica:

• Analytical Essay # 142245 : "Agricultural Techniques and Technology of Mesoamerica"
• Comparison Essay # 72977 : "Ancient People of Mesoamerica"
• Descriptive Essay # 996 : "Using Mesoamerican Art to Understand Mesoamerica's Past"

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