Pre-Columbian Ware came from the Andes mountains of Mesoamerica before the sixteenth century. The intellectual and artistic accomplishments of ancient China, Mesopotamia, India, and the Mediterranean were challenged by the artisans and craftsmen of Latin America.  The quality of their wares was even more amazing when one considers that much of the technology that was critical to them was non- existent. For example, the wheel was never used in Mesoamerica for anything except toys. In the Old World, it was used for pottery wheels or wagon wheels.  With the lack of technology the Maya used stones to carve their infamous jade ornaments and elaborate sculptures.  The contrast of opposing design elements was the key in most American Indian art, for example, plain and ornate or light and dark.

There were three main chronological divisions in Pre-Columbian era.  The periods are the Pre-Classic Period (Formative 1500 BC- 300 AD), the Classic Period (Florescent 300-900 AD), and the Post-Classic Period (900-1540 AD). 

The Pre-Columbian era was famous for their painting, pottery, architecture, sculpture, and metalwork. Much of it was inspired by astrology.  They liked astronomy because it helped them find out when appropriate harvesting and planting times are.

Their pottery was usually painted, left plain or painted with one or two colors, although some polychrome ceramics were made.  Their pottery replaced gourds and baskets as containers.  Pottery is the most commonly found surviving artifact of the whole Pre-Columbian period.  Clay objects such as molded pots and hand-molded pots were all made during this era. Their decoration consisted of painting and polishing techniques, incising designs, and carving or molding reliefs.

Pre-Columbian Art and Architecture.  http:www.fwkc.com/encyclopedia/low/articles/p/p020000743f.html

Pre-Columbian Civilizations.  http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/printable/0/0,5722,117300,00.html.  Encyclopedia Britannica.

By Daniele Deibert