. Ancient civilizations of Mexico and Central America. Indians of Mexico; Indians of Central America. Hi MEXICO WD CENTRAL AMERICA Invention of Agriculture. Before examining in greater detail the art of the Archaic Horizon lei us stop and consider its real significance. It is generally admitted that America was originally populated from Asia, but on a culture level no higher than the Neolithic. The simple arts of stone chipping, basketry, fire- making, were prob- ably brought over by the earliest immigrants but there is abundant evidence that pottery-making, weaving, and agriculture were
. Ancient civilizations of Mexico and Central America. Indians of Mexico; Indians of Central America. Hi MEXICO WD CENTRAL AMERICA Invention of Agriculture. Before examining in greater detail the art of the Archaic Horizon lei us stop and consider its real significance. It is generally admitted that America was originally populated from Asia, but on a culture level no higher than the Neolithic. The simple arts of stone chipping, basketry, fire- making, were prob- ably brought over by the earliest immigrants but there is abundant evidence that pottery-making, weaving, and agriculture were independently in- vented long after the ori- ginal settlement. The cul- tivated plants in the New World are different from those of the Old World and there is a vast area in northwestern America and northeastern Asia, up- on the only open line of communication, where agriculture and the higher arts have never been practised. Now the invention of agriculture is an antecedent necessity for all the high cultures of the Xew World. It is equally clear that this invention must have taken place in a locality where some important food plant grew in a wild state. By far the most important food plant of the Xew World is maize. While this plant has changed greatly under domestication, botanists are in- clined to find its nearest relative and possible progenitor in a wild grass growing on the highlands of Mexico and known bv the Aztecan name teocentli. which means. Fig. 12. Tcocentli or Mexi- can Fodder Grass. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Spinden, Herbert Joseph, 1879-1967. New York
Size: 1338px × 1867px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, booksubjectindianso, booksubjectindiansofmexico
