Ancient Civilizations of the Americas

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Ancient Civilizations of the Americas

• Lecture 9 The Basin of Mexico in the Late
  PreClassic Early Classic

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• Middle Preclassic Zacatenco Phase 900-600 BC
• Olmec motifs are discontinued.
• Population of the Basin of Mexico 20,000, with
  population concentrated in the southern half.
• Cuicuilco had a population probably of 2000
• Late Preclassic Ticoman Phase 600-150 BC
• Population grows to 90,000
• Cuicuilco population grows to 5,000-10,000

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Ticoman Phase
Patlachique Phase
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Patlachique Phase 150 BC 1 AD Cuicuilco
population 20,000 Several large platforms
constructed, largest 20m high/80m dia. Cuicuilco
buried under two lava flows from Mt. Xitli in 50
BC.
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Teotihuacan Located at the head of a number of
springs. Obsidian specialization
underway. Tzacualli Phase AD 1-100 Population of
Teotihuacan goes from 15,000 to 80,000 as the
entire Basin of Mexico is unified under its
control. The pyramid of the sun is constructed
over a cave with four chambers. Mayan sources
indicate it was possibly called Flower
Mountain. City is built on a cruciform plan,
with the Avenue of the Dead running North-South.
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Miccaotli Phase (100-200 AD) Ciudadela is
built. It covers 16 ha. and is nearly as massive
as the Pyramid of the Sun. Temple of
Quetzalcoatl possibly dedicated to the Great
Goddess aka Feathered Serpent Temple