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In 1200 BCE, the Olmecs developed the city of San Lorenzo. -
The Olmecs were the first major civilization in Mesoamerica during the formative period. They rose to power in around 1200 BCE and disappeared around 400 BCE.
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Between 1100 and 800 BCE, the Olmecs developed an extensive trading network.
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Olmecs developed a writing system sometimes called Isthmian which was later discovered on stone slabs. Oldest example of writing in the Americas. -
The Olmecs constructed 17 known large stone heads which are believed to be the faces of the rulers. -
The Zapotec civilization flourished from the Formative period to the Classical stage. They inhabited the Oaxaca valley from 700 BCE when they rose to power until 1000 AD when their civilization fell.
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The Zapotecs developed advanced irrigation systems for their cities including manmade terraces for crops which were watered by a canals fed by springs. -
The constructor of the city is unknown and most likely ruled by a council. The civilization ended after a volcanic winter where temperatures drastically dropped due to the amount of volcanic ash in the air.
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Floating gardens on Lake Texcoco that followed the directional orientation of the city. -
Sometime during the classical period, the Zapotec developed a semantic and phonetic alphabet which has yet to be translated. They also created a calendar with 260 days and a system of dots and lines to represent numbers. -
The Zapotec built a major stone building shaped like an arrow and pointing towards the Capella star during this period.
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One of the largest structures in the Western Hemisphere that rises 216 feet. -
The second largest structure in the city rises about 140 feet facing the Avenue of the Dead. -
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They monopolized obsidian and made different tools with this resource. Also the peak population of the city of 150,000 people. -
The Zapotecs were skilled sculptors and many urns, figures, and vases have been found made out of clay as well as jade.
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The Toltecs rose to power during the 10th century and were admired by the Aztecs for their love of warfare. The Toltec leaders invaded Teotihucuan and spread the belief of the god Quetzalcoatl. They declined in the 12th century from invasions and civil wars and the final leader committed suicide.
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The Mixtecs developed and spoke many Otomanguean languages. However, in all of these languages, Mixtec meant rain people.
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The Mixtecs created their civilization in the Mexican valley around Oaxaca and ruled into 1350 when they were conquered by the Aztecs.
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The Toltecs farmed large maize crops, beans, and chili papers, and created naturally colored cotton. -
The Mixtecs developed a system of glyphs somewhat similar to the Zapotec writing system. Glyphs were images that symbolized events, places, and phenomenon.
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The Toltecs had an advanced irrigation system utilizing channels to control the flow of water. They also built damns due to the scarce rains.
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The Mixtecs developed codices (singular codex) which were books made of deer skin or bark that had tales of heroes and gods.
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The Toltecs are known for their pottery as well as their work with gold, jade, turquoise, and quetzal feathers. -
The Mixtecs became expert metalworkers and metallurgists. They worked primarily with turquoise and gold to create necklaces and pendants.