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:
- The early Formative (2000BC-1200BC)
- The middle formative (1200BC-400BC)
- The Late Formative (400BC-200AD)
