The Classic Period Ch.6- M. Coe Teotihuacan Monte Alban Veracruz Maya Classic Splendor: Early Period (Ch.4 Coe)

The Classic Period Rise of civilizations AD Climate Lowlands- Long Count Calendar Cuicuilco Main Deities: – Rain & Fire (Tlaloc and Huehueteotl) – Feathered Serpent: Quetzalcoatl Teotihuacan – Neolithic period – Theocracy

Teotihuacan Introduction – “Place where men go to become Gods” – First planned city in Mesoamerica – Influenced many other civilizations throughout Geographical location – Central location – Northeast of Mexico City – Population of 125,000+ Ethnic center for Zapotec, Maya, etc.

Teotihuacan Architecture- palaces, temples, & apartments – Talud-tablero style – Residential compounds (165 by 200ft. Square) – Palace compounds Xolalapan, Tetitla, Zacuala, Atetelco) Quetzal-Butterfly palace – Murals Tepantitla- Spider Woman

Teotihuacan- Architecture Temple of Quetzalcoatl The Citadel Avenue of the Dead The Pyramid of the Sun The Plaza of the Moon The Pyramid of the Moon

Teotihuacan- Religion/Pantheon Spider Woman- creation & fertility Sun God & Moon Goddess Tlaloc- Rain God Chalchiuhtlicue- Water Goddess Xipe-Totec- “Our Lord the Flayed One” Huehueteotl- “Old Man of Fire” Quetzalcoatl- fertility symbol? Most deities were connected with Maize & its well-being

Socioeconomic System & Trade Evidence of a market with many ethnic groups. Crops: maize, beans, squash, chile peppers, cotton, and maguey- nopales (“tunas”), beans, pumkins, squash, avocados, amaranth. “Roza” and “chinampas” systems Game: deer, rabbit, turkeys, fish, dogs, wild ducks and geese. Household items: – Metates, ceramic bowls – Spin wheels & needles/thread – Paper with maguey – Trading with other towns Social stratification – Possible cause of decline

Teotihuacan- Arts, Crafts, and Clothing Elegant art style portrayed in frescoes, sculpture, pottery and masks. Hallmark being the cylindrical pottery vase. Weapons and obsidian artifacts – Control green obsidian deposits in Hidalgo. Bone needles for clothing- and basketry – Men- loincloths/kilt with sandals – Women- huipilli and underskirt – Priests- elaborate costumes with exotic feathers, jade or seashell & jewelry.

Art & Masks Functions are unknown – Funerary purpose – Sympathetic magic Stone, jade, obsidian and gold (later period) Facial features indicate peace and wisdom (ideals?)

Teotihuacan Decline and Fall – 700 AD – Invaders burned the city – Internal crisis – Political or economic problems – Continued habitation for 200 years- Coyotlatelco – Moved to Atzcapotzalco – Crisis impacted all classic civilizations during the 9 th century A.D. Climatic change? Chichimeca invasion?

Early Maya Cacaxtla – Maya advanced knowledge – Tezcatlipoca- War God – Paintings are Maya – Knightly orders: Eagles & Jaguars Xochicalco – Location: Morelos – AD – Population- 8-15,000 – Ball-Game courts – Great pyramid – Feathered Serpent Pyramid – Underground observatory – Decline & Fall

Gulf Coast- Veracruz Classic Veracruz – El Tajín Remojadas Monte Alban- Classic

El Tajín Most important site of the Classic period in Veracrúz. Ball Game ball courts found Cultural Influences Diet & Economy Origin of its name Religion Los Voladores Decline/Fall- around 1250 AD.

Remojadas Culture Location- Central Veracruz Origin BC to 200 BC Diet & Religion Clothing Decline

Zapotec- Monte Alban Location & dates – Four Phases (500 BC -900 AD ) Diet & Social Organization Religion-poytheistic – Cozobi- Corn God – Cocijo Rain – Copizja- Sun – Bezelao- Fertility Calendar system Decline