Periodization Archaeology of the Americas

folsom projectile point.

national park service, c.1961

numerous regional , sub-regional divisions have since been defined distinguish various cultures through time , space, later archaeologists recognized these generalised stages did not adequately correspond cultural variation existed in different locations in americas.

lithic stage


defined ostensible prevalence of big-game hunting. in places, can dated before 8000 bce, starting around 16,500 bce (see paleo-indians). examples include clovis culture , folsom tradition groups.


the archaic stage


defined increasingly intensive gathering of wild resources decline of big-game hunting lifestyle. typically, archaic cultures can dated 8000 1000 bce. examples include archaic southwest, arctic small tool tradition, poverty point culture, , chan-chan culture in southern chile.


the formative stage


defined village agriculture based. of these can dated 1000 bce 500 ce. examples include dorset culture, zapotec civilization, mimbres culture, olmec, woodland, , mississippian cultures.


the classic stage


defined civilizations , , typically dating 500 1200 ce. willey , phillips considered cultures mesoamerica , peru have achieved level of complexity. examples include maya , toltec.


the post-classic stage


defined later prehispanic civilizations , typically dated 1200 ce until advent of european colonisation. late maya , aztec cultures post-classic.

today, meso- , andean south america later periods more classified using horizon terminology, horizon typically broadly equating late formative stage. horizons periods of cultural stability , political unity, intermediate periods covering politically fragmented transition between them. in andes there 3 horizon periods, 2 intermediate periods between them. horizons, , dominant cultures are: horizon, chavin; middle horizon, tiwanaku , wari culture; late horizon, inca.