"Tec"-nically advanced cultures of ancient Mexico (April, 13, 2006)

Aztec, Toltec, Mixtec, Zapotec: We know they were some of the great cultures of ancient Mexico, but how the heck can you tell one 'tec from another? If this question has been on your mind lately, you may be interested in a lecture to be given this week at the Santa Ana Theater of the Biblioteca Pública. Retired professor of humanities Guillermo Méndez will examine four major pre-Hispanic Mexican cultures, described by one Mesoamerican scholar as the four "unifying forces" in ancient Mexico. They are the Olmec, Teotihuacan, Toltec and Aztec civilizations. The lecture will be illustrated with over 200 digital images of the art, artifacts and architecture of the four cultures.

For each culture a distinguishing concept will be given and discussed. The defining concepts help to differentiate one group from another. For example, the concept for the Olmecs is "The Mother Culture," for that is the role they played in Mesoamerican history. Most of the salient characteristics of later cultures were present in the Olmec several centuries before the year zero in our Gregorian calendar.

The ancient cultures of Mexico shared a unique calendar that combined a 365-day solar calendar and a 260-day ritual calendar. This combination of calendars did not repeat until 52 years had passed. Thus, 52-year "centuries" acquired considerable importance in the cosmic expectations of the Aztecs, demanding vital rituals such as the "new fire ceremony." Every 52 years all the fires in the Aztec capital city, Tenochtitlán, were extinguished. On a hilltop outside the city, a "new fire" was started on the chest of a soon-to-be-sacrified person. From the new fire all the extinguished fires of the city would be reignited.

Each of the four cultures had its own style in art and architecture. Distinguishing visual images will be presented that characterize each culture. In the case of the Olmecs, the colossal heads carved of basalt will be discussed and the unique were-jaguar images, many carved from jadeite, will be examined and interpreted.

A second lecture next week utilizing the same format will present the Zapotec, Maya, Classic Veracruz and Mixtec cultures.


Lecture by Guillermo Méndez
"Ancient Cultures of Mexico: Part I"
Wednesday, April 19, 3pm
Teatro Santa Ana, Insurgentes 25
50 pesos