The Materials used in Mesoamerican cultures Serve as a sample of the way of life of the Olmec, Maya and Aztec tribes, civilizations that lived between 1500 BC and 1500 AD.
These cultures existed in what is now known as Mexico and parts of Central America, including Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, and certain regions of Nicaragua.
You may be interested The 3 most important Mesoamerican cultures .
Materials used in different Mesoamerican cultures
Olmec
The Olmec people were the first culture to find a style of art and architecture focused on the preclassic period. Their settlements were along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, where forest areas were deforested for the construction of farms and mounds of land used for a political and religious purpose.
Most of the people lived in wooden houses and straw that were distributed around the ceremonial centers.
The most visible form of legacy left by this civilization are the stone heads they created. These were built in basalt and showed unique facial features so they are believed to be portraits of their rulers.
These could reach more than 3 meters and have a weight of up to 8 tons. The stones with which they were built were transported from places up to 80 kilometers away. Jade and pottery were also popular materials, as well as wood.
Some examples of works are found very well preserved in the swamps of El Manatí.
Teotihuacan
Teotihuacán became the first urban center of Mesoamerica, reaching a size of 23 square kilometers at its peak of development from 350 to 650.
Its population completed nearly 200,000 inhabitants making it the largest city in the world at the time. This center thrived thanks to the Prosperous market Of obsidian and to the farms cultivated in the fertile soil of the region.
By the year 750, the ceremonial center suffered a fire and society in general declined from there for reasons still unknown. The ceremonial center was maintained thanks to the Aztecs, who preserved it until 1500.
The Teotihuacan culture used jade, basalt and andesite to create detailed masks. These were especially polished and added details like the eyes, created with shells or obsidian.
Masks were also created in clay and used to adorn statues. The pottery was made of orange clay decorated with stucco, which was of very high demand throughout the region. The statues that represented their gods, could be as high as 3.2 meters and made from basaltic lava.
Maya
The Mayan culture Reached its peak during the Classical Period, in which it was possible to develop impressive advances. During this time between 50 and 950 was given to the construction of the imposing cities of Chichen Itza and Uxmal.
During this period there were significant advances in mathematics, astronomy, architecture and the visual arts.
Mayan art is considered one of the most sophisticated and beautiful of this region and comprises from small pieces carved in obsidian, to the great pyramids. The painting was composed of delineation and filling on paper and plaster, carvings in wood and stone and models in clay and stucco.
The technical process of the metal work was also highly developed, but because the material was not very abundant in the area, its use was restricted to ornamental.
The materials used for the Mayan construction were usually some types of stones found in the area surrounding the city.
The best known of these materials is limestone which was quite abundant in all settlements of this culture. Quarries have been found just outside their cities, which were sources of building blocks.
The Mayan people also used mortar in their construction projects. This was made from limestone burning in a very technical process. This material was used for the completion of facades of buildings, to cover the floors and to make sculptures.
Aztec
He Aztec empire With its capital in Tenochtitlán, dominated the majority of Mesoamerica during the 1400 and 1600 d.C. In this city, located where Mexico City is located today, was where the most impressive pieces of architecture and art were found.
After the conquest of the Spanish, this site was looted, demolished and its materials used to build the modern city.
The Aztecs were adept constructors and craftsmen, who used chisels, hard stones and obsidian blades as materials. Nevertheless, in the more recent constructions of Tenochtitlán, the Aztecs began to focus on the solidity of the buildings due to the poor subsoil for the constructions.
The tezontle, which is a strong but light volcanic rock, was widely used. This was very popular because its cut was very easy and its texture and color were striking. It was also used in the construction of monumental buildings to fill its walls and cover its roofs.
Most of the materials used by the Aztecs were found in the region or acquired through barter.
Fragments of rock, plaster, marinade and lime to make stucco were also commonly used. On the outskirts of Tenochtitlan, people used wood like pine and oak to make wooden beams and doors.
Other pieces of art were created in materials such as carmelite, pearls, amethyst, rock crystal, obsidian, shells and jade.
Turquoise was one of the favorite materials to cover sculptures and masks. One of the most appreciated elements were the exotic feathers, especially the green plumage of the quetzal bird. These were cut into small pieces and used to create mosaics, in shields, suits and hats.
References
- Encyclopedia Britannica. Mesoamerican architecture. [Online] [Quoted on: April 19, 2017.] global.britannica.com.
- Cartwright, Mark. Olmec Civilization. [Online] August 30, 2013. [Quoted on: April 19, 2017.] ancient.eu.
- -. Teotihuacan. [Online] February 17, 2015. [Quoted on: April 19, 2019.] ancient.eu.
- Pennsylvania State University. Mayan Architecture. [Online] [Quoted on: April 21, 2019.] courses.psu.edu.
- Crystal Links. Mayan Art and Architecture. [Online] [Quote on: April 12, 2019.] crystalinks.com.
- Moreno, Manuel Aguilar. Aztec Architecture. [Online] [Quoted on: April 20, 2017.] famsi.org.
- Cartwright, Mark. Ancient Encyclopedia. Aztec Art. [Online] January 6, 2014. [Quoted on: April 25, 2019.] ancient.eu.