preconquest

PreConquest refers to the period of history in Mesoamerica before the arrival of Europeans. This era spans several millennia and encompasses the rise and fall of numerous complex societies. Key civilizations that flourished during the PreConquest period include the Olmec, Maya, Teotihuacan, Toltec, and Aztec. These cultures developed sophisticated systems of writing, mathematics, astronomy, and art. They constructed monumental architecture such as pyramids, temples, and observatories. Agriculture, particularly the cultivation of maize, beans, and squash, formed the economic backbone of these societies. Warfare, ritual practices, and intricate religious beliefs were also significant aspects of PreConquest life. The exact end date of the PreConquest period is generally considered to be 1521, with the fall of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan to Hernán Cortés and his allies. This marked the beginning of the Spanish conquest and the subsequent transformation of Mesoamerican societies. The study of PreConquest civilizations relies heavily on archaeological evidence, deciphered hieroglyphs, and surviving codices, alongside later colonial-era accounts.