Prehistoric to Pre-Clasic Horizon

Prehistoric Horizon

According to theories, around 30,000 to 40,000 B.C. groups of nomadic Mongoloid hunters originating from Asia crossed the ice of the Bering Straits into America to become the first settlers.
The first inhabitants of Mexico are calculated to have arrived around 2400 B.C.

Archaic Horizon

Around 5,200 B.C. man made a start in agriculture with the hybridization of corn, as shown by evidence from Tehuacan (State of Puebla) and Zohapilco (State of Mexico), thus beginning his sedentary life.

Early Pre-Classic Horizon

The year 2,000 B.C. American man started to use ceramics towards 1,800 B.C. and population centers appeared in El Arbolillo, Tlatilco and Zacatenco, now in the State of Mexico. Corpses were buried in a fetal position and the pottery, black and thick walled, was fired with direct heat.

Middle Pre-Classic Horizon

Around 1000 B.C. there were settlements in Tlapacoya, Xico, Chalco and Cuicuilco in the State of Mexico. The first shrines were built with stone or adobe on pyramidal bases. Trade grew on the barter system.

Late Pre-Classic Horizon

Towards 800 B.C. The Olmec culture began to develop, mainly at La Venta, Tabasco, reaching its height between 500 and 100 B.C. in what are now the States of Tabasco and Veracruz (Cerro de las Mesas, La Venta, San Lorenzo, El Trapiche and the Tuxtlas). The Olmecs had a great influence on later Meso-american cultures. They made notable progress in sculpture, created a calendar and the first forms of writing.
In 500 B.C. settlements and agriculture grew at Tlatilco, Tacomán Azcapotzalco and Chimalhuacan (State of Mexico) and at some sites surrounding the Valley of Teotihuacán, e.g. Patlachique and Cuenacan. Monuments were built with stepped bases, as can be seen on the archeological site of Cuicuilco and at Tlapacoya (State of Mexico).

The main religious concept was of a fire-god (Huehuetéotl) and of water. The Xitle volcano erupted, destroying the village of Cuicuilco and the settlement of Copilco. The lava formed the district of Mexico City now known as the Pedregal de San Angel.

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