Mexican Cathedrals and Churches:
How Early Civilizations Influenced
The History of Mexico
SA 110 D Spanish I
November 26, 2004
Mexican Cathedrals and Churches:
How Early Civilizations Influenced
The History of Mexico
As compared to the United States, Mexico is a much older country, surviving takeovers, revolutions, external influences and greed. While it is apparent that belief in a higher order influenced both countries, it is Mexico and its historical architectural forms that provide a visual display much more superior to those constructed in the United States. As early as the golden age of the Olmec era, roughly 800-400 B.C., a large number of statues in the round were carved depicting human beings. Although the Olmec architecture was quite primitive, their striking monumental stone sculptures were astonishing. Carved on the surfaces of altars, are men, some of whom are holding children in their arms in a sort of ceremonial rite as if presenting a ‘heir to the throne’ or a victim for sacrifice. Massive heads, some measuring up to three meters in height, have been found only in three Olmec cities – La Venta, Tres Zapotes, and San Lorenzo, all located in the southern half of Northern Mesoamerica. It was during this era the Olmec culture attained the greatest level of civilizations, when all the great sculpture and other major advances, except writing, were made, not only in the Metropolitan Olmec era but also in other places, such as the Valley of Oaxaca, the Highlands of Guatemala and the Pacific Coast. (Bernal).
Evolving into the next level of civilization, the Classic Period, two cities Teotihuacán and Monte Albán, provide an additional display of structures depicting a belief in a higher order. At the peak of its development (150-300 A.D.), Teotihuacán housed 90,000 inhabitants and covered approximately 22 ½ sq. km. Most of the great monuments, mainly religious ones were crowded in the center which ran...