Refers to the period in Mesoamerica from around 1000 BCE to 300 BCE characterized by burgeoning politico-religious structures and nuclei that extended into the Zapotec civilization in the Valley of Oaxaca, Southern Highlands. Sculptural styles of the period feature ceremonial and monumental stone sculpture such as large stone heads, altars, stelae, and other full round and bas-relief forms. The juxtaposition of the human figure with animal features such as jaguar mouths and nostrils appears extensively in sculpture and painting. The lapidary styles of the period feature varied jade figurines and other small, intricate objects. Pyramidal architecture demonstrates more complex and varied forms such as the pyramidal fluted cone structure.
