Highland Mesoamerican Early Preclassic

Middle America and the Caribbeanhorticulturalists
Map
expand_more Description

The Highland Mesoamerican Early Preclassic tradition extends from about 4000 to 2600 BP (2000-600 BC) in the mountainous inland regions of Mesoamerica. The people were agriculturalists with some reliance on wild plants and animals. Chiefdoms emerged during this tradition. Settlements show a hierarchy with the most important having civic-ceremonial platforms. Long distance trade items included obsidian, precious goods, and probably elite knowledge. Evidence of autosacrifice (offering your own blood to feed the gods) appears.

Identifier
Region
  • Middle America and the Caribbean
Subregion
  • General Middle America and the Caribbean
Subsistence Type
  • horticulturalists
Countries
  • Guatemala
  • Honduras
  • Mexico