![[Pasted image 20250201162844.png]] Mesoamerica is the geographic area stretching from north of Panama up to the desert of central Mexico. Although marked by great topographic, linguistic, and cultural diversity, this region was the home of a number of civilizations with similar characteristics. Mesoamericans were polytheistic; their gods possessed both male and female traits and many demanded blood sacrifices of enemies taken in battle or even sometimes from the people themselves through ritual bloodletting. Corn, or maize, domesticated between 9,000 and 7,000 years ago from a wild grass called Teosinte formed the staple foundation of a varied diet. Early Mesoamerican cultures developed a mathematical system, built aqueducts, temples, palaces, and pyramids, and devised a calendar that accurately predicted eclipses and solstices and that priest-astronomers used to direct the planting and harvesting of crops. --- Next: [[1.4 Written Language]] Back: [[1.2 Monte Verde]]