Mexico, dominant Mesoamerican nation, mother of Mesoamerican cultures, is geologically diverse with volcanic cones, dry basins, lakes and gently sloping hills caused by lava flows and centuries of erosion. Most of Mexico is 7800 feet ASL, with volcanic peaks, rugged mountain chains and the lush Valley of Mexico. Many cultures put down roots in this region from the Formative Period 2000 - 1600 BC. Settlements here date to 1300 BC with Tlaltilco and Tlacapoya, also bearing evidence of Olmec influence. Geographically Mexico resembles a cornucopia, wide in the north, narrower southwest toward ancient Mayan Yucatan, one of the world's most diverse regions. The Valley of Mexico's southern region had many settlements. Native ceramics flourished, manufacturing wares in red, black and brown, and red and white ceramics with red and yellow decoration. By 1300 BC clay platforms were erected at Tlatilco, Cuicuilco and Tlapacoya. The region continued responding to outside influences such as trade and artistic innovation from Tenochtitlan. Cultural phases in the Valley of Mexico included Ixtapaluca, Cuicuilco and Zacatenco-Arbolillo. 1175 AD Toltecs arrived, then Chichimec and others. In time Aztecs dominated the valley.
Founding of Mexico - Tenochtitlan
Viewed as beginning and end. Begins, great Aztec Empire whose glorious center was the Valley of Anahuac (in the water) At its height the Empire stretched from the Pacific ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, from Honduras to the Tropic of Cancer. The Aztec pilgrimage, starting in their year Ce Tecpatl (1 gemstone) 1116 AD ended in Ome Calli (2 houses) 1325 AD. It began in their native Aztlan (white place) traditionally Tenochtitlan, an island north of Mexico, where their god commanded the Aztecs to search for a promised land whose exact location the god would indicate with a sign. The island of Mexcaltitlan, in the lagoon of the San Pedro River in the state of Nayarit, has all the known characteristics. Although not officially recognized the island is traditionally Mexico's cradle. Aztecs' pilgrimage took them through Mexican states Michoacan, Guanajuato, Hidalgo and Mexico, establishing a settlement in Tollan (place of flowers) today Tula Hidalgo, to better continue their quest towards the lake in the Valley of Anahuac. Aztec settlements established en route include Zumpango, Xaltocan, Ecatepec, Tulpetlac, Pantitlan, Popotla, Chapultepec, and others. July 18 1325 on a Lake Texcoco islet, there appeared an eagle perched on a cactus eating a snake. Here the Aztecs built an altar to the sign from their god and officially founded the City of Mexico - Tenochtitlan. Mexico honoring Mextli (Xlote or son of Maguey) which name translates "where Mextli is" - a priest transformed after death into the god Huitzilopochtli.
Before Spain arrived, elaborate designs were freely painted on textiles and pottery. Spanish love of trim and ornament matched that of the Indians, quick to adopt novel decorations. Over a true Indian blouse Indian girls wear their pueblo's embroidered collar, usually kept for best. Fashion for such collars came from Spain, promptly adopted in San Cristobal and a permanent part of costume. Despite European influence many ancient motifs survive. Zapotec urns from Mexico were placed inside tombs. Zapotec's state capital is Monte Alban. The feathered serpent Quetzalcoatl was Mexico's earliest known god. The jaguar symbolized the soil. Atzompa potters specialize in Chia figures sometimes several feet high. Eagles, scorpions, suns, flowers adorn votive bowls, showing sacred paths followed each year by peyote gatherers on their way to Winkuta. Mineral powders mixed with linseed oil are painted directly onto lacquered surfaces. Encrusted lacquers are a Uruapan feature. Ferns and feathers are popular motifs. Finished pieces resemble gleaming mosaics. Intricate candelabras and trees of life depict Bible themes, best known Metepecs, Michoacan. Balsas Mexicala region developed barkpaper painting.
CHIAPAS
Mexico's southernmost state has Mexico's strongest ties to Central America. Mayan sites include Palenque, Yaxchitlan and Bonampak. Much of Chiapas is mountain and forest, with mist-shrouded peaks, cascading waterfalls and steaming jungles. Maya, isolated from the Spanish Conquest, are most closely tied to ancestral culture, their simple homes surrounded by cornfields. Neighboring communities speak their own Maya dialects and have their own styles of ritual and costume. This diversity doesn't fragment the culture, but instead keeps it alive. Constant, subtle debate between communities as to which traditional interpretation is valid confirms their striving to define the proper way of life and preserves basic beliefs in ancestral wisdom. CHIAPA De CORZO east of Tuxtla Gutierrez, its only pre-Hispanic ruin is one small pyramid. Once a great market, it linked with Mayans, Zapotecs and Incas.
CORN - God's sunbeams
Corn surrounds and sustains each Maya home. Its 4 colors correspond to cardinal directions. Maya stand at the world's center in the color yash, color of blue sky, gray mist and green stalks of sprouting corn. Planting corn, making tortillas and other Mayan tasks are sacred duties recalling acts of God and ancestors. Mayan mythology's Hero Twins cleared the forest for cornfields. Later stories tell how the Christ child worked the field to support his mother. The Virgin made Christ tortillas just as Maya women do today. Saints wove huipiles and tended sheep. Mayas do chores like they did in ancient times.