Pre-Columbian Mexico (before 1521 A.D.)

Though there are tantalizing fragments of evidence suggesting human habitation of Mexico more than 20,000 years ago, the first solid evidence comes from two kill sites in the northern Basin of Mexico. Based on the evidence these Hunter-Gatherer peoples lived off of mammoths and other animals. Ancient Mexicans began to selectively breed corn plants around 8,000 B.C. Evidence shows the explosion of pottery works by 2300 B.C. and the beginning of intensive farming between 1800 and 1500 BC.

Between 1800 and 300 BC, complex cultures began to form. Some matured into advanced Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations such as the: Olmec, Teotihuacan, Maya, Zapotec, Mixtec, Huaxtec, Purepecha,Toltec and Mexica (a.k.a. "Aztecs"), which flourished for nearly 4,000 years before first contact with Europeans.

These indigenous civilizations are credited with many inventions: pyramid-temples, cities, mathematics (becoming the first people in the world to use zero), astronomy, medicine, writing, precise calendars, fine arts, intensive agriculture, engineering, an abacus, complex theology, chocolate, and the wheel.

Archaic inscriptions on rocks and rock walls all over northern Mexico (especially in the state of Nuevo Leon) demonstrate an early propensity for counting in Mexico. These very early and ancient count-markings were associated with astronomical events and underscore the influence that astronomical activities had upon Mexican natives, even before they possessed civilization. In fact, the later Mexican civilizations would all carefully build their cities and ceremonial centers according to specific astronomical events.

At different points in time, three Mexican cities eventually became the largest cities in the world: Teotihuacan, Tenochtitlan, and Cholula. These cities — among several others — blossomed as centers of commerce, ideas, ceremonies and theology. In turn, they radiated influence outwards onto neighboring cultures.

While many city-states, kingdoms, and empires competed with one another for power and prestige, Mexico can be said to have had four major, unifying civilizations: The Olmec, Teotihuacan, the Toltec, and the Mexica. These four civilizations extended their reach across Mexico — and beyond — like no others. They consolidated power and distributed influence in matters of trade, art, politics, technology, and theology. Other regional power players made economic and political alliances with these four civilizations over the span of 4,000 years. Many made war with them. But almost all found themselves within these four spheres of influence.