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The Formative Era in Ancient Mesoamerica, 2000BC – 200AD

Sat, Aug 15, 2009

History & Politics, Mexican History

An artist's impression of El Mirador, a late formative metropolis in Peten, Guatemala. Such monumental projects were a precursor to Mesoamerica's cultural flourescence. (Photo:National Geographic)

An artist's impression of El Mirador, a late formative metropolis in Peten, Guatemala. Such monumental projects were a precursor to Mesoamerica's cultural flourescence. (Photo:National Geographic)

The Formative period in ancient Mesoamerican history, also known as the Pre-Classic era, sees the establishment of all the key socio-political structures, symbols, technologies and religious ideas that define the subsequent ages of the Mesoamerican tradition. In essence, Mesoamerica defines itself. Scholars have divided it into 3 distinct (if unimaginatively titled) phases:

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      Related Posts

      1. Late Formative, 400BC-200AD
      2. The Early Formative, 2000BC-1200BC
      3. The Middle Formative, 1200BC-400BC
      4. The Archaic Era, 8000-2000BC
      5. The Pleistocene Hunter-gatherers, 40000-8000BC

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