Interactions Between Humans and the Environment
900 - 600 B.C.E
Maya
Tikal, Guatamala
Bone paintings.
Maya
Tikal, Guatamala
Bone paintings.
800 B.C.E
Maya
Tikal, Guatamala
Shaped as a conch shell, an artist's paint container.
Maya
Tikal, Guatamala
Shaped as a conch shell, an artist's paint container.
Development and Interactions of Cultures
1100 - 800 B.C.E.
Olmec
Las Bocas, Central America
Painted bottle.
Olmec
Las Bocas, Central America
Painted bottle.
800 - 100 B.C.E.
Peru
Ceramic anthropomorphic sculpture.
Peru
Ceramic anthropomorphic sculpture.
900 - 700 B.C.E
Maya
Pacific Lowlands, Guatamala
Clay whistle.
Maya
Pacific Lowlands, Guatamala
Clay whistle.
_1250 B.C.E. - 1 C.E.
Cupisnique
Peru
Small bowl.
Cupisnique
Peru
Small bowl.
800 - 100 B.C.E.
Recuay Culture
Recuay, Peru
Carved stone animal head.
Recuay Culture
Recuay, Peru
Carved stone animal head.
State-building, Expansion and Conflict
900 - 700 B.C.E
Maya
Peten Lowlands, Guatamala
Flute in the shape of an ax. Played by the middle class only. Beads placed inside the flute determined pitch.
Maya
Peten Lowlands, Guatamala
Flute in the shape of an ax. Played by the middle class only. Beads placed inside the flute determined pitch.
_800 - 100 B.C.E.
Peru
Box with carved military scenes.
Peru
Box with carved military scenes.
900 - 200 B.C.E.
Chavin
This hardstone mace head from western South America was attached to a strong wooden handle. These devices were used as clubs with heavy heads used to deliver hard blows. Maces were also used ceremonially as signs of authority.
Chavin
This hardstone mace head from western South America was attached to a strong wooden handle. These devices were used as clubs with heavy heads used to deliver hard blows. Maces were also used ceremonially as signs of authority.
Creation, Interaction and Expansion of Economic Systems
900 - 500 B.C.E.
Highland Olmec
Mexico
Greenstone celt( ancient adzes, axes and hoes) with incised masked figure.
Highland Olmec
Mexico
Greenstone celt( ancient adzes, axes and hoes) with incised masked figure.
Development and Interaction of Social Structures
_1250 B.C.E. - 1 C.E.
Vicus
Peru
Crown decorated with figures and circular pendants made of gilded copper.
Vicus
Peru
Crown decorated with figures and circular pendants made of gilded copper.
1,250 - 900 B.C.E
Maya
Naj Tunich Caves, Guatamala
(Replica) Early cave paintings located in the Naj Tunich caves.
Maya
Naj Tunich Caves, Guatamala
(Replica) Early cave paintings located in the Naj Tunich caves.
1250 B.C.E. - 1 C.E.
Vicus
Peru
Crown of a warrior priest.
Vicus
Peru
Crown of a warrior priest.
900 - 500 B.C.E.
Highland Olmec
Mexico
Seated ruler in a ritual pose made of serpentine and cinnabar. Jadite and other greenstones had ideological value due to their color which represented water, maize, sky and life. Figures such as this one may have represented renewal of life especially because it is coated with cinnabar whose red color represented the life-farce of blood.
Highland Olmec
Mexico
Seated ruler in a ritual pose made of serpentine and cinnabar. Jadite and other greenstones had ideological value due to their color which represented water, maize, sky and life. Figures such as this one may have represented renewal of life especially because it is coated with cinnabar whose red color represented the life-farce of blood.
1200 - 400 B.C.E.
Balsas Olmec
Mexico
Jadite reclining figure pendant.
Balsas Olmec
Mexico
Jadite reclining figure pendant.
900 - 500 B.C.E.
Olmec
Mexico
Jadeite animal, likely a jaguar.
Olmec
Mexico
Jadeite animal, likely a jaguar.
_1100-600
B.C
Olmec
Mexico
Greenstone anthropomorphic mask.
Olmec
Mexico
Greenstone anthropomorphic mask.
900 - 500 B.C.E.
Gulf Coast Olmec
Mexico
Jadite mask.
Gulf Coast Olmec
Mexico
Jadite mask.
900 - 500 B.C.E.
Highland Olmec
Mexico
Jadite pendant of a spoon with motif.
Highland Olmec
Mexico
Jadite pendant of a spoon with motif.
_1250 B.C.E. - 1 C.E.
Paracas
Peru
Ceremonial mantle.
Paracas
Peru
Ceremonial mantle.