Later Mesoamerica

The Epiclassic and Post-Classic periods

c. 650–1520 CE

Discover Mesoamerica’s rich artistic heritage after 650 CE, from the ancient Maya to the Aztec civilizations.

The art and histories of later Mesoamerica include Mixtec screenfold manuscripts, the Post-Classic International Style, and the Aztec Empire

Later Maya

Toltecs

Aztecs

Cholula

Mixtecs

What is Mesoamerica?

Meaning “Middle America,” Mesoamerica is a cultural region that includes Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica

Later Maya

The Maya at Chichén Itzá and elsewhere in the Post-Classic offer exciting opportunities to talk about contact, cultural complexity, and trade

Stone carvings of skulls on a wall, representing ancient Mesoamerican art and architecture, in an outdoor historical site.

Skull rack at Chichén Itzá

Important terms and concepts

Tzompantli (skull rack)

Human sacrifice

Ballgame

Toltecs and Cholula

The influence of the Toltecs was felt across Central Mexico, and Cholula rose to become an important pilgrimage destination

Historic church on a hill with blue sky and clouds, surrounded by trees and buildings in the foreground.

The world's largest pyramid at Cholula

Important terms and concepts

Pyramid

Tlachihualtepetl (Great Pyramid of Cholula)

Nahuatl

Quetzalcoatl

The Mixtecs

The Mixtecs lived primarily in southern Mexico during the Post-Classic period

Exhibit case displaying ancient codices with illustrated historical manuscripts.

Screenfold codices

Ancient golden artifact with intricate design on display

Pectoral

Important terms and concepts

Screenfold codex

Mixtec

Ancient Maya

Codex Nuttal (Tonindeye)

Madrid Codex

Pictographs

Pectoral

Learn more about the Mixtecs

The atlatl

The Mexica (Aztecs)

More popularly known as the Aztecs, the Mexica rose to power in Central Mexico in the 14th century and controlled a powerful empire from their capital of Tenochtitlan

Chinampas ("floating gardens”)

Aztecs and axolotls

Aztec feather headdress against a red background

Aztec featherworks

Aztec Sun Stone with intricate carvings displayed in a museum.

Sun Stone ("Calendar Stone”)

Stone jaguar sculpture in a museum exhibit with other artifacts displayed in the background.

Jaguar cuauhxicalli

Stone relief with carved pattern, surrounded by people in orange clothing at an indoor exhibition.

Atl-Tlachinolli symbol

Gold snake-shaped artifact with open mouth and detailed engravings, possibly an ancient or cultural jewelry piece.

Serpent Labret

Aztec Templo Mayor ruins with detailed stone carvings in Mexico City

Skull rack (tzompantli)

Colorful illustrations of Aztec warriors and symbols on parchment or paper, with Latin or Nahuatl handwriting in the background.

Chimalli

Colorful ancient ceramic mask with a fierce expression and detailed patterns, displayed behind glass in a museum setting.

Tlaloc

Amanteca (featherworkers) in the Florentine Codex

Important names

The Triple Alliance

Mexica (Aztecs)

Tlaloc

Aztlan

Huitzilopochtli

Important terms and concepts

Lake Texcoco

Tenochtitlan

Chinampas

Axolotl

Featherworks

Amanteca

Huey Tlatoani

Labret

Pantheon

Skull rack (tzompantli

Human Sacrifice

Cuauhxicalli

Atl-tlachinolli (warfare symbol)

Tribute

Codex Mendoza

More about the Mexica (Aztecs)

Aztec illustration showing two women and a man, with a seated figure or deity inside a structure, symbols around, and a person in a boat, with historical and religious motifs.

Aztlan

Various images like a bird, shield, and costumes are painted on a book page from the Aztec Codex Mendoza

Tribute

The Spanish Viceroyalty of New Spain

Learn more what happens to Mesoamerican cultures after the waves of Spanish invasions and conquest

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Illustration of a man kneeling indoors with a quetzal feather headpiece, from an ancient manuscript, against a backdrop depicting architecture and landscape.

Related Resources

South America

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Ancient Andes

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All of the Americas

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Early Mesoamerica

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Introduction to the Aztecs

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The Aztecs—Mesoamerica

Bring the Aztec world to life!

This informational text/reading covers the Aztec migration, Tenochtitlan, chinampas, social organization, religion, writing, and more. It is a beautifully illustrated, full-color PDF—similar to a textbook chapter.

Includes: a bibliography, links to free short videos, discussion questions, short answer questions, and a multiple-choice and true-false quiz. Answer keys included.

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