Mesoamerica was a profoundly important region and set of cultures that arose independently in the region stretching from central Mexico to northern Panama. The pre-colombian cultures created powerful civilizations that flourished for thousands of years. Study of the cities and monuments of these cultures suggests these civilizations were on par with those found in South America, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China. There were many cultures that thrived in the region, including the Toltec, Mixtec, and Zapotec to name just three. However, we are going to look at three of the civilizations most familiar to modern society.
It is the Olmecs, known as the rubber people who first rise to prominence in Mesoamerica. Olmec is the Aztec word for these folk; we do not know what they called themselves. What the Olmec left behind provokes more questions than it answers. Their empire flourished from 1400 to 100 BCE and they may well have destroyed their own capital. Religion, which will be a theme of all these civilizations, plays an important role in Olmec culture. To the Olmecs the earth, the sky, and the underworld were important and those place where they met, like caves or mountains and other natural spots, were sacred. Additionally the Olmec were great builders and left behind cave paintings, pyramids, and the striking stone sculptures of heads or upper bodies. The calendar of later cultures may have been first used by the Olmecs.
Following on the heels of the Olmecs came the Maya people. In addition to their magnificent cities the Maya have an important linguistic heritage. Although much focus is on the Mayan civilization of the Classic period (250 CE to 900 CE), the pre-classic Maya culture made significant progress in city building and other advanced cultural traits such as pyramid construction. As with the Olmecs, the Maya are a deeply religious folk. Kuhul ajaw, the kings or holy lords, acted as mediators between the people and the gods, performing important sacred ceremonies. The Maya calendar of course is something many folk have heard of and this is based on the advances in mathematics and astronomy. This civilization flourished until the late 800s when some mysterious calamity struck the Maya. The cities were slowly abandoned and by the time the Spanish arrive, most of the Maya are living in simple agricultural villages. Whatever the reason for their collapse, the legacy of the Maya has far outlived their civilization.
Perhaps the culture most are familiar with from Mesoamerica, are the Aztecs. Thought to be nomads from the north, the Aztecs established their civilization around their capital of city of Tenochtitlan. With excellent agricultural practices and a powerful military tradition the Aztecs began to dominate the lands and people around them. Under leaders such as Itzcoatl and Montezuma the Aztecs grew to a population of 5 or 6 million. The legacy of the Aztecs has stretched into our modern world in a number of ways. As with the Mayan languages, the Aztec language ,Nahuatl, continues on in many forms today including words adopted by the Spanish and English languages. This legacy, which stretches back to the Olmecs, is very significant to us as storytellers.
How would I incorporate these cultures into play? All seemed to share a profound connection to religion, especially gods and beliefs that included aspects of the natural world. Dragons, in the form of feathered serpents, appear in Olmec sculptures and symbolism, though there are no true records of Olmec myth. Myths surely were handed down to their neighbors however, and the beliefs meshed into subsequent religions. Mesoamerica was a powerful meta culture with a deep spiritual base. As a fantasy or science fiction region it would provide a fantastic base for adventure. Ancient ruins and mysterious precursor cultures enough to full several campaigns, the most interesting legacy may be their understanding of math, astronomy, and the world around them.
Ritual human sacrifice was a staple of life in many of these cultures. Normally we might label this practice as evil, though in the cultural context that may not be true. Instead of shying away from this idea, I would embrace it. I would not do so lightly or in a mocking way, but integrating the idea into your play with the maturity that is called for. This approach is not for everyone, but if you treat the source material and the people with care and consideration in your game, you will find the path that works for you. It might horrify outsiders, but native characters would likely not have any issues with it. Whatever direction you choose, I would avoid a B movie approach to Mesoamerican culture.
It is the Olmecs, known as the rubber people who first rise to prominence in Mesoamerica. Olmec is the Aztec word for these folk; we do not know what they called themselves. What the Olmec left behind provokes more questions than it answers. Their empire flourished from 1400 to 100 BCE and they may well have destroyed their own capital. Religion, which will be a theme of all these civilizations, plays an important role in Olmec culture. To the Olmecs the earth, the sky, and the underworld were important and those place where they met, like caves or mountains and other natural spots, were sacred. Additionally the Olmec were great builders and left behind cave paintings, pyramids, and the striking stone sculptures of heads or upper bodies. The calendar of later cultures may have been first used by the Olmecs.
Following on the heels of the Olmecs came the Maya people. In addition to their magnificent cities the Maya have an important linguistic heritage. Although much focus is on the Mayan civilization of the Classic period (250 CE to 900 CE), the pre-classic Maya culture made significant progress in city building and other advanced cultural traits such as pyramid construction. As with the Olmecs, the Maya are a deeply religious folk. Kuhul ajaw, the kings or holy lords, acted as mediators between the people and the gods, performing important sacred ceremonies. The Maya calendar of course is something many folk have heard of and this is based on the advances in mathematics and astronomy. This civilization flourished until the late 800s when some mysterious calamity struck the Maya. The cities were slowly abandoned and by the time the Spanish arrive, most of the Maya are living in simple agricultural villages. Whatever the reason for their collapse, the legacy of the Maya has far outlived their civilization.
Perhaps the culture most are familiar with from Mesoamerica, are the Aztecs. Thought to be nomads from the north, the Aztecs established their civilization around their capital of city of Tenochtitlan. With excellent agricultural practices and a powerful military tradition the Aztecs began to dominate the lands and people around them. Under leaders such as Itzcoatl and Montezuma the Aztecs grew to a population of 5 or 6 million. The legacy of the Aztecs has stretched into our modern world in a number of ways. As with the Mayan languages, the Aztec language ,Nahuatl, continues on in many forms today including words adopted by the Spanish and English languages. This legacy, which stretches back to the Olmecs, is very significant to us as storytellers.
How would I incorporate these cultures into play? All seemed to share a profound connection to religion, especially gods and beliefs that included aspects of the natural world. Dragons, in the form of feathered serpents, appear in Olmec sculptures and symbolism, though there are no true records of Olmec myth. Myths surely were handed down to their neighbors however, and the beliefs meshed into subsequent religions. Mesoamerica was a powerful meta culture with a deep spiritual base. As a fantasy or science fiction region it would provide a fantastic base for adventure. Ancient ruins and mysterious precursor cultures enough to full several campaigns, the most interesting legacy may be their understanding of math, astronomy, and the world around them.
Ritual human sacrifice was a staple of life in many of these cultures. Normally we might label this practice as evil, though in the cultural context that may not be true. Instead of shying away from this idea, I would embrace it. I would not do so lightly or in a mocking way, but integrating the idea into your play with the maturity that is called for. This approach is not for everyone, but if you treat the source material and the people with care and consideration in your game, you will find the path that works for you. It might horrify outsiders, but native characters would likely not have any issues with it. Whatever direction you choose, I would avoid a B movie approach to Mesoamerican culture.
