Lowland Mesoamerican Archaic

expand_more Description

The Lowland Mesoamerican Archaic tradition is found in Belize and Mexico between 7000 and 3800 BP. The people of this tradition were primarily hunters, fishers, and gatherers, but did cultivate some plants. They lived in small possibly permanent coastal settlements. Upland sites on river and swamp margins may have been special purpose locations. They became increasingly dependent on maize and possibly manioc towards the end of the period. Although essentially egalitarian, the regionally organized exploitation and distribution of resources suggests social complexity beyond that of simple hunter-gatherer societies.

Identifier

Region

• Middle America and the Caribbean

Subregion

• Maya Area

Subsistence Type

• primarily hunter-gatherers

Countries

• Belize
• Mexico