Mixtec Highland Culture (9th Century)

Timeline

1. 801–850Valleys of the Oaxaca highlands · Oaxaca HighlandsThe Mixtec developed terrace agriculture and water systems adapted to the mountains of the Oaxaca highlands; settlements expanded along river valleys, population density rose, and an economic basis for chiefdom political competition emerged.
2. 850–900Mixtec core area · Mixtec RegionArchaeological finds show that by the 9th century the Mixtec had mastered fine jade carving and gold-working, and had developed a hieroglyphic system recording dynastic lineages and rituals, laying the cultural foundation for the later Mixtec codex tradition.
3. 850–900Oaxaca highlands · Oaxaca HighlandsThe Mixtec region formed multiple independent chiefdoms (roughly a hundred or so), maintaining regional order through marriage alliances and warfare; the political structure was dispersed and flexible, in sharp contrast to the centralized Maya city-state model.