Hierarchy classification:

1. top of the aat hierarchies
2. Styles and Periods Facet
3. Styles and Periods (hierarchy name)
4. [styles, periods, and cultures by region]
5. Americas, The
6. Pre-Columbian (American)
7. [Pre-Columbian Middle American styles and periods]
8. Mesoamerican
9. Mesoamerican periods

Anotations

Scope note:

Refers to a broad period and culture in Mesoamerica that existed approximately 40,000 BCE to 15,000 BCE. The period is usually subdivided into two chronological subperiods. The first period, from around 30,000 BCE to 15,000 BCE, involves archeological and paleontological sites in Nicaragua and in Mexico such as El Cedral and Valsequillo. The following period, from around 15,000 BCE to 9000 BCE, revolves around the emergence of hunter-gatherer cultures and is rich in rock paintings depicting negative or positive hands, geometric motifs, and man and animal silhouettes.