Post-Classic stage facts for kids

The Post-Classic Stage is a term used by archaeologists to describe a period in the history of ancient American cultures. It's the fifth and final stage in a system created by archaeologists Gordon Willey and Philip Phillips in 1958. This stage usually ended when European explorers and settlers arrived in different parts of the Americas.

What Made the Post-Classic Stage Special?

During the Post-Classic Stage, societies in the Americas became very advanced. Here are some key features:

• Metalwork: People learned to work with metals like gold, silver, and copper. This skill is called metallurgy. They made tools, weapons, jewelry, and art from these metals.
• Big Cities: Many cultures built large, complex cities. This is known as urbanism. These cities were centers for trade, religion, and government.
• Strong Armies: Societies often had powerful armies and focused on military strength. This is called militarism. They used their armies to protect their lands and sometimes to expand their empires.
• Changing Beliefs: There was a trend towards society becoming more secular. This means that religious leaders might have had less direct control over everyday life, and government or military leaders became more important.

Post-Classic Cultures in Mesoamerica

Mesoamerica is a historical region that stretches from central Mexico down to northern Costa Rica. The Post-Classic period in Mesoamerica lasted from about 900 AD to 1519 AD. Many famous cultures thrived during this time, including:

• The Aztec Empire, known for its powerful military and capital city, Tenochtitlan.
• The Tarascans, who were skilled metalworkers and rivals of the Aztecs.
• The Mixtec people, famous for their beautiful painted books and intricate gold jewelry.
• The Totonac people, who built the impressive city of El Tajín.
• The Pipil in what is now El Salvador.
• Various Maya groups in the Yucatán Peninsula and Guatemala, such as the Itzá, Kowoj, K'iche', Kaqchikel, Poqomam, and Mam. These groups continued to build cities and develop their cultures after the Classic Maya collapse.

Post-Classic Stage in North America

In other parts of North America, the Post-Classic Stage followed the Classic stage in some areas. This period generally dates from around 1200 AD up to the time of European contact. Cultures in this stage also showed advancements in their societies, though they might not have had the same level of metalworking as Mesoamerican cultures.

The Five Stages of American Archaeology

The Post-Classic Stage is the last of five stages proposed by archaeologists Gordon Willey and Philip Phillips to classify ancient American cultures:

• The Lithic stage: This was the earliest stage, when people first arrived in the Americas and hunted large animals.
• The Archaic stage: During this time, people adapted to different environments and began to gather food more systematically.
• The Formative stage: This stage saw the development of farming, pottery, and settled villages.
• The Classic stage: This period was marked by the rise of complex societies, large cities, and advanced art and architecture, like the great Maya cities.
• The Post-Classic stage: The final stage, characterized by advanced metalwork, large urban centers, and powerful states, often ending with European arrival.

See also

In Spanish: Periodo Posclásico de América para niños