The Early History of Metallurgy in Central America/Mesoamerica
Physical evidence from archaeological excavations in South America, North America, and Mesoamerica are much harder to find for three reasons: the areas in which the civilizations resided in were both humid and wet, speeding up the process of corrosion, rusting and decomposing the early metalwork, numerous invading armies, conquests, and wars lead to the destruction and theft of possessions, and finally, the fact that the Americas were quite cutoff from other ancient civilizations in Europe and Asia by the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, the societies were secluded and a lacked shared techniques and products. Instead, the southern Mesoamerican tribes and the northern Mesoamerican tribes were forced to depend on each other for trading opportunities.
Earliest evidence suggests that metalworking in Central America began in the south, around 1936 B.C.E, and mainly focused on ornamental decorations and jewelry. Around 1000 B.C.E, trading routes between the north and south were created and connected the indigenous people to each other. The biggest export from the south was golden jewelry, while the greatest import from the north was copper tools. Unfortunately, not even the trading routes still remain today, only some rock foundations of ancient plazas, temples, and cut granite stones that are precise enough to indicate the use of metal tools.
What began as stone, shell, and bone usage, evolved into metal, mostly commonly copper, and strengthened the production of numerous materials throughout numerous regions. Evidence of a systems including smelting, casting, and alloying proved a quick transition into metallurgy thousands of years ago. Another system, called cold hammering or cold working, pounded metals into specific shapes, and made crafting special metals a popular trade.
Earliest evidence suggests that metalworking in Central America began in the south, around 1936 B.C.E, and mainly focused on ornamental decorations and jewelry. Around 1000 B.C.E, trading routes between the north and south were created and connected the indigenous people to each other. The biggest export from the south was golden jewelry, while the greatest import from the north was copper tools. Unfortunately, not even the trading routes still remain today, only some rock foundations of ancient plazas, temples, and cut granite stones that are precise enough to indicate the use of metal tools.
What began as stone, shell, and bone usage, evolved into metal, mostly commonly copper, and strengthened the production of numerous materials throughout numerous regions. Evidence of a systems including smelting, casting, and alloying proved a quick transition into metallurgy thousands of years ago. Another system, called cold hammering or cold working, pounded metals into specific shapes, and made crafting special metals a popular trade.