When did the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire occur?
The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire occurred between 1519 and 1521. This event marked the end of the Postclassic period and the beginning of Spanish colonial rule over Mesoamerica.
Common questions about Mesoamerica
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who coined the term Mesoamerica and what does it mean?
German ethnologist Paul Kirchhoff coined the term Mesoamerica in the 20th century. The name literally means middle America and defines a zone where cultural traits diffused over millennia to create a near-prototypical cultural area.
What crops formed the foundation of the Mesoamerican agricultural revolution?
The domestication of squash, chili, and maize formed the foundation of the Mesoamerican agricultural revolution. Maize emerged as a staple crop by 4000 BCE with the earliest known samples found in a cave at Guilá Naquitz in Oaxaca.
Which Mesoamerican culture is considered the mother culture of the region?
The Olmec culture is often called the mother culture of Mesoamerica and inhabited the Gulf Coast of Mexico from roughly 1200 to 400 BCE. They developed the first true Mesoamerican writing systems and created colossal stone heads that remain iconic images of the ancient world.
How many years did Maya groups in the Petén area remain independent after the fall of Tenochtitlan?
Maya groups in the Petén area remained independent until 1697, holding out against the Spanish for nearly two centuries after the fall of Tenochtitlan. The Itza at Tayasal and the Kowoj at Zacpeten were among the groups that maintained their independence during this period.