MESOAMERICAN CHRONOLOGY Meaning and
Definition
-
Mesoamerican chronology is a term used to describe the system of dating and sequencing events that occurred in ancient Mesoamerican civilizations. Mesoamerica generally refers to the region in Central America that includes present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador, among others. The term "chronology" refers to the arrangement of events in their proper sequence of time.
In Mesoamerican chronology, the time scale is primarily based on the use of various calendars employed by the different cultures that inhabited the region. These calendars were highly sophisticated and incorporated both solar and ritual cycles. The most prominent among these calendars is the Long Count, which was used by civilizations such as the Maya. The Long Count is a complex system that uses a combination of base-20 and base-18 numbers, as well as baktuns (cycles of 20 katuns or 144,000 days) to track time.
Mesoamerican chronology involves the correlating of these various calendars to establish a unified framework for dating events. Archaeologists and historians have meticulously studied and dated inscriptions, ancient texts, and archaeological findings to construct a timeline of Mesoamerican history. This chronological framework enables researchers to understand the rise and fall of civilizations, the spread of cultural and artistic styles, and the development of architectural and technological advancements within this region.
Overall, Mesoamerican chronology represents the historical system employed to order and understand the fascinating and diverse civilizations of ancient Mesoamerica.
Etymology of MESOAMERICAN CHRONOLOGY
The word "Mesoamerican" is a combination of two words: "Meso" and "American".
- "Meso" comes from the Greek word "mesos", meaning "middle" or "between". In the context of Mesoamerica, it refers to the region between the northern and southern parts of the Americas.
- "American" refers to the continent of America, primarily the regions of North and South America.
"Chronology" originates from the Greek word "chronos", meaning "time". It refers to the arrangement or study of events in the order of their occurrence over time.
So, when combined, "Mesoamerican chronology" refers to the study or arrangement of events in the order of their occurrence within the middle region of the Americas.
