We explain what the Postclassic Period is, its historical context and characteristics. In addition, we explain what the main civilizations are and more.
In the Postclassic Period the Mayan, Inca and Aztec civilizations stood out.
What is the Postclassical Period?
The Postclassic Period corresponds to the last stage of the history of pre-Columbian America, between 900 AD. C. and 1521 AD. c.
This stage stood out for the military emphasis of Mesoamerican cultures and for the development of the centralized state in the Andean region. Among the main cultures of the Postclassic Period, the Mayan, Inca and Aztec empires stood out.
See also: Indigenous peoples of Mexico
Pre-Columbian American Chronology
The Postclassic Period was preceded by the Classic Period (200-900 AD) and is divided into two stages:
- Early Postclassical (AD 900-1200)During this phase, the Mixtec and Toltec cultures developed in the Mesoamerican region, and the Mayan city of Chichén Itzá consolidated its dominance in the Yucatán Peninsula.
- Late Postclassic (1200-1521 AD)This period was characterized by the development of the Aztec Empire in the Valley of Mexico and the Inca Empire in the central Andes. In addition, the Mayan city-state of Mayapán consolidated its power to the detriment of Chichén Itzá.
Characteristics of the Postclassic Period
War motifs prevailed in the artistic styles of the Postclassical Period.
The Postclassic Period was characterized by:
- Mesoamerican political instabilityIn Mesoamerica, constant wars for control of territories and political hegemony marked the rise and fall of numerous cultures.
- imperial development. Over time, he prioritized the hegemony of victorious militaristic states, such as the Aztec Empire. This involved the development of a state apparatus capable of controlling and managing the subject societies, on which they imposed the payment of taxes and services.
- Defensive architectureIn this warlike context of Mesoamerica, a defensive architecture developed in urban centers. Several cities built walls around themselves, as well as irrigation ditches and storage spaces for goods to survive in crisis situations.
- Consolidation of the warrior classesThe increase in military activity led to the ruling groups becoming directly involved in the warlike role. The sacred trait of the rulers began to be related to their ability to impose military victory over other peoples.
- Prosperity of trading groupsThe consolidation of trade routes and the deepening of class differences within Mesoamerican societies caused merchant groups to reposition themselves on the social ladder. The possibility of bringing exotic and luxury goods from distant lands, which the ruling classes used as a symbol of distinction, allowed merchants to become rich and consolidate their political power as part of the ruling classes.
- War pantheonIn the religious sphere, the cult of warrior gods such as Quetzalcoátl (the Feathered Serpent) began to predominate, and the gods linked to rain and fertility were relegated to second place.
- Ceremonial with sacrifices. New forms of religious worship linked to war and political sovereignty appeared. The role of human sacrifice in religious ceremonies was consolidated as an act of veneration of the gods and as a symbol of political superiority.
- Population growth. The improvement of agricultural techniques led to an improvement in food production. This, in turn, allowed for constant population growth. The Aztec capital Tenochtitlán once housed more than 300,000 inhabitants and Cusco, the Inca capital, more than 200,000.
Main civilizations of the Postclassic
The Aztec Empire dominated the Valley of Mexico during the Postclassic Period.
Among the main civilizations of the Postclassic Period, the following stood out:
- MayansThey inhabited the Yucatan Peninsula between 2000 BC and 1527 AD. Throughout their history, they organized different independent city-states with theocratic governments. During the Postclassic Period, the cities of Chichén Itzá and Mayapán consolidated their power on the Mayan horizon.
- AztecsThey occupied the Valley of Mexico between 1325 and 1521 AD. From the alliance of the cities of Tenochtitlán, Texcoco and Tlacopan, they created a centralized and theocratic empire, governed by a tlatoani. His society was stratified between pipiltin (nobles), the macehualtin (common people) and slaves. They developed an economy based on taxation, agricultural technology and trade.
- Mixtecs. They populated the south of the Mesoamerican region since the Preclassic Period, and created various independent kingdoms, governed by royal couples. The Mixtec culture reached its maximum splendor between 950 and 1521 AD. C. and stood out for the development of war technology and the participation of women in the high spheres of political power.
- Toltecs. They settled in northern Mesoamerica, and their culture predominated in the region between 900 and 1100 AD. C. They founded the city of Tollan-Xicocotitlan (today called Tula), a multiethnic city-state with a militaristic ideology. It is believed that their main language was Nahuatl and they exerted great influence on other cultures in the region.
- IncasIn South America, they formed the largest empire of the pre-Columbian era. They inhabited the Andean region between the 12th and 16th centuries AD and organized a theocratic empire, led by a sacred monarch called Sapa IncaTheir society was structured in communal kinship groups, called ayllus, through which production and work on agricultural lands were organized. Their main gods were Viracocha and Inti, whom they worshiped as patrons of humanity and their civilization.
End of the Postclassic Period
The end of the Postclassic Period came with the conquest of the SpanishBetween 1511 and 1521, the Maya resisted attempts at conquest. In 1521, Hernán Cortés succeeded in dominating Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec Empire.
From there, he sent various armies to the Yucatán Peninsula. The European invaders took advantage of the disputes between the Mayan cities and, around 1546, they imposed themselves on almost the entire peninsula. At the same time, Francisco Pizarro led the Andean campaign and managed to conquer the Inca Empire in 1533.
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References
- Lopez Austin, Alfredo; and Lopez Lujan, Leonardo (2001): The indigenous pastMexico City: The College of Mexico.
- Boehm de Lameiras, B. (1991). The State in Mesoamerica. Study on its origin and evolution. Spanish Journal of American Anthropology, twenty-oneeleven.
- Carmack, Robert et. to the. (nineteen ninety six): The legacy of Mesoamerica: history and culture of a Native American civilization. Prentice Hall. New Jersey.
- Duverger, Christian (1999): Mesoamerica, art and anthropology. CONACULTA-Landucci Editores. Paris.
- “The Mayan post-classic era” in History on the net.
- “Maya” in History.
- “Postclassic period” at MesoAmerican Research Center.
- “Late postclassic” in UNAM Magazine.
- “Early Postclassic” in Mexican Archaeology.