Cultural areas of Ancient Mexico

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3 cultural areas of Ancient Mexico:

Arid America, Oasis America, and Mesoamerica.

Landscape: Warm climate, scare precipitation, oases. Flora: Biznaga,Beavertail cactus,Arizona Poppy, Flower ghost and Ocotillo flowers. Fauna: Turtles,Buffaloes, Giant hairy scorpion, Desert rats and Zopilotes.

The oases allowed were favorable for agriculture, complementing it with hunting and gathering, and thanks to that they became sedentary.

The cultural areas are divided based on certain conditions that made civilizations living there share characteristics and daily activities in common.

Landscape: from mountain ranges and highlands in the center and north with a temperate and warm-humid climate, to plains with low jungles and a hot climate Flora: Liliaceae, Agavaceae, Bromeliaceae, and Smilacaceae. Fauna: Dahlia, Izote, Orchid of the virgin, Guaria Morada and Scarlet macaw.

They shared a similar writing system, based on glyphs, pictorial elements, polytheists, two calendars, ceremonial ball games, used medical herbs and plants, etc.

Landscape: Coasts, planes, and abrupt mountains. Flora: Agave lechuguilla, Evening primrose, Brittlebush, Popcorn flower and Governor. Fauna: Owl, Mohave Rattlesnake, Turtles,Giant hairy scorpion and Roadrunner.

The groups living here separated from others, limiting their possibilities of exchange.

Arid America

Extremely dry area, with little rain and large plains.

Location: Intermediate section between the United States and Mexico. Climate: Arid and dry region with little rain.

Activities: Hunting, collecting fruits and vegetables, making tools with stone and flagstone, fishing in wooden boats.

Oasis America

Wild territory, it has the presence of the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Madre Occidental.

Location: South East of the U.S.A. and North of Mexico. Climate: Semi-arid territory, with hot climate and scarce rains.

Activities: Agriculture, hunting, gathering, handling of ceramics, weaving, the adobe.

Cultures: Mogollón, located in the Sierra Madre Occidental, ritual burial of the deceased and comerce with mesoamerican groups. Anasazi, dedicated to making baskets and pottery. Hohokam, built channels in the subsoil to prevent water evaporation.

Cultures: Huichol, their works of art are very colorful, they spoke Huichol. Tarahumara, their language is Tarahuma, they make their own footwear. Chichimecas: some were warriors, and others kept commercial ties to Mesoamerica.

Cultures: Otomíes, their language is Otomí, are considered the “people of the water.” Mayans, they spoke Mayan, they invented zero. Olmecs, known as “mother culture”, are considered the most ancient of America.

Mesoamerica

Diverse environments, from extensive beaches to high mountains.

Location: Center of the American continent, from Mexico to countries like Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, etc.Climate: Various types of climate and arable land due to the rivers and lakes found there.

Activities: Agriculture, human sacrifice in polytheistic religions, architecture, pottery, mythology, emergence of the first cities.