Postclassic Period (A.D. 900 - 1,500)
The end of the Late Classic witnessed the collapse of classic Maya civilization. The population of the lowlands fell dramatically and many centers were abandoned. Communities in the highlands and southern coast also experienced significant changes. However, the Postclassic should not be understood as a period of decline except in the lowland regions, which were abandoned. For the first time Mesoamerican peoples utilized gold and copper in small amounts.
Plumbate pottery is characterized by lustrous tones of orange and gray and the presence of a variety of animals and supernatural beings. This ceramic style was made along the costal zone of Soconusco, in Chiapas, Mexico and possibly in adjacent areas in Guatemala. It was highly valued during the Late Classic and Early Postclassic and was traded widely throughout Mesoamerica.
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