Were-jaguars interpreted

Lecture Ancient Cultures of Mexico: Part I Guillermo Méndez Wed, Jul 8, 3pm  Teatro Santa Ana Biblioteca Pública Insurgentes 25 60 pesos

Aztec, Toltec, Mixtec, Zapotec—we know these were some of the great cultures of ancient Mexico, but how can you tell one “tec” from another? Retired Professor of Humanities Guillermo Méndez examines four major pre-Hispanic cultures, described by one Mesoamerican scholar as the four “unifying forces” in ancient Mexico—the Olmec, Teotihuacán, Toltec and Aztec civilizations. The lecture is illustrated with over 200 digital images of the art, artifacts and architecture of the four cultures.

For each culture, a distinguishing concept is given and discussed which helps 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—for example, demanding vital rituals like the “new fire ceremony.” Every 52 years, all the fires in the Aztec capital city, Tenochtitlan, were extinguished. On a hilltop outside the city, a “new fire” was started on the chest of a soon-to-be-sacrificed 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. Again, distinguishing visual images are presented that characterize each culture. In the case of the Olmecs, the colossal heads carved of basalt are discussed and the unique “were-jaguar” images, many carved from jadeite, are examined and interpreted.

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