Mesoamerican Classic period
General characteristics
General characteristics
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[link\=[https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivo:Copan\_(3831819514\).jpg\|thumb\|Maya](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivo:Copan_(3831819514).jpg|thumb|Maya) stele in [Copán](/wiki/Cop%C3%A1n "Copán").](/wiki/File:Copan_%283831819514%29.jpg "Copan (3831819514).jpg")
The Mesoamerican Classic Period can be established from around 200 to 900 A. D. However, the [chronology](/wiki/Mesoamerican_chronology "Mesoamerican chronology") varies in each cultural area. The precursors to this period are found in the late Preclassic Period, at around 400 B. C, when an increase in efficiency of [agriculture](/wiki/Agriculture "Agriculture") technology led to demographic growth, a greater division of labor and specialization, and the growth of trade. The technological changes that made it possible were conditioned by specific factors in each region. [Maya](/wiki/Maya_peoples "Maya peoples"), [Zapotecs](/wiki/Zapotec_civilization "Zapotec civilization"), and [Teotihuacans](/wiki/Teotihuacan "Teotihuacan") started to implement techniques such as irrigation systems. The staple crop continued to be [maize](/wiki/Maize "Maize").

In the same period, a bifurcation of traditions took place: One in central [Mexico](/wiki/Mexico "Mexico") and the other in northern Mayan cities. Such differentiation is visible on all central ruins in the Mesoamerican complex, such as the [calendar](/wiki/Maya_calendar "Maya calendar") and [writing systems](/wiki/Maya_script "Maya script"). This were taken to their maximum complexity in the Maya civilization.

Far from what was thought in early texts about the Classic Period, today it is known that, in central Mexico as well as Maya states were warring cultures, although never to the extent of the cultures of the Postclassic. War seems to be central subject in the history of the Maya, revealed by steles of the era and the iconographic representations that have been discovered in sites like [Toniná](/wiki/Tonin%C3%A1 "Toniná"). In that region, various city\-states established themselves that were often hostile to each other. For their part, Teotihuacan could not have become the great political and economic center they were without the use of force, also atested by the iconography of the city; However, it seems that the sheer size of Teotihuacan power freed the city from the hostilities of other competing states. Similarly, Monte Albán prevailed in the central valleys of [Oaxaca](/wiki/Oaxaca "Oaxaca") through war, according to the steles found in Building J of the city. 

Trade played an important role as an element of cohesion between Mesoamericans. Teotihuacan has an important role as a trading hub. After its collapse, the trade network decayed as well, after which smaller regional centers rose to prominence. Another of the principle subjects of the Classic was [urbanism](/wiki/Urbanism "Urbanism"). The cities were carefully planned and constructed. The cities, in addition to being administrative and religious centers, functioned as productive commercial nodes.

As a last point, it is necessary to emphasize that most of the deities of the Mesoamerican pantheon were 'crystallized' in the classic period, and that religion occupied an important place in the social structure as an auxiliary of political power. Presumably, the clergy monopolized the knowledge of astronomy, mathematics, writing and even commerce and politics. There are sculpted and painted Maya texts, which have been identified as chronological, astronomical and historical, although they are not the main source of knowledge about the Maya, since they are written in their complex [Maya script](/wiki/Maya_script "Maya script"), which is still in the process of being deciphered. The Classic period, from 200 to 900, is characterized by a remarkable cultural flourishing.

However, the chronology varies in each cultural area. In the same classic period there was also a bifurcation of traditions in the Mesoamerican area: one, headed by Estereotipan, and the other by the Maya cities of the north.


What were some common features among these ruins?