III.

Chronological Divisions

To distinguish the major characteristics of pre-Columbian civilizations, three general chronological divisions have been widely used: the Pre-Classic, or Formative, period (circa 1500 bc-c. ad 300); the Classic, or Florescent, period (circa 300-c. 900); and the Post-Classic period (c. 900-1540). Although the term classic suggests the height of a cultural development, current scholars and critics deny the once-common assumption that the finest pre-Columbian art and architecture were achieved in the Classic period. The art and architecture of the Post-Classic Mixtec and Aztec of Mexico and the Chimu and Inca of Peru are not less distinguished than those of their Classic predecessors, but only different in accomplishment and taste.

The Pre-Classic period was an age of experimentation and innovation, the achievements of which were expanded and refined by later civilizations. In this early period the Americas were primarily isolated into chiefdoms and small kingdoms that were largely independent of one another in their cultural development. Evidence exists, however, of some distribution of religious ideas and art motifs. The Olmec of Mexico, the San Agustín culture of Colombia, and the Chavín of Peru all worshiped a feline deity, and all shared a similar iconography (pictorial vocabulary) in their art.

During the Classic period complex empires developed. Their rulers were often priests, rather than the warrior-priests who were the principal administrators of Post-Classic civilizations, and cultures were more readily disseminated or assimilated. Although this is often considered a peaceful period, recent archaeology has demonstrated that most major Classic civilizations were warlike. Conquest and extensive trade resulted in wealth that was spent on constructing or elaborating ceremonial centers or cities, as well as creating increasingly luxurious personal effects and high-quality objects for funerary or ritual use.

The Post-Classic period was characterized by frequent wars resulting from the socioeconomic pressures of increased population and technological development. The terminal cultures and civilizations of this period are the best documented, because they were directly encountered by the Spanish, who recorded their personal impressions or had histories compiled of the conquered.