Pre-Columbian art

Pre-Columbian art /  Planet of conservation 

Pre-Columbian art is the way designates the set of artistic and intellectual achievements as sculpture, architecture, rock art, ceramics, textiles, metalwork and painting made in the Americas during the pre-Columbian period. This is the main element that allows the knowledge and recognition of pre-Columbian civilizations, proof of their level of development and transformation capacity of its environment.

While the term "Pre-Columbian" generally is understood as everything that was in America before the arrival of the Spaniards in 1492, actually it refers to a period during which different cultures developed, which left permanent mark on the art and are currently the subject of scientific study. The term "pre-Columbian" is derived from pre Colombia before Columbus, but has to do in particular with the cultures that dominated the territory of which would be the Spanish colonies in America, that is, from Mexico to the Southern Cone excluding Brazil (where pre-colonial period is said) and whose development began in the American Preclassic or Formative period of America with the rise of the Olmec culture in Mesoamerica to the construction of one of the most remarkable cities in the continent is attributed, Teotihuacan. This implies a time frame ranging from 1500. C. until the discovery of America in 1492, which also includes the formative or pre-classical period, classical and post-classical. The term "classical period" that would open with the early development of Maya culture to the 292 and end his apparent decline towards the 900, has been coined by those who believe that this period marks the peak apex of the splendor of pre-Columbian art . Such a notion is currently under discussion by those who point out that the front and rear pre-Columbian art at that period is not less than realized during the classical period.