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Ancient Mexicans began to selectively breed corn plants around 8,000 [[B.C.]] Evidence shows an explosion of pottery works by 2300 B.C. and the beginning of intensive corn farming between 1800 and 1500 B.C.
===Pre-Columbian civilizations===
[[Image:Yaxchilan 1.jpg|thumb|right||220px|An image of one of the pyramids in the upper level of [[Yaxchilán]]]]
[[Image:Telamones Tula.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Toltec warrior columns at [[Tula, Hidalgo|Tollan (Tula)]], [[Hidalgo]]]]
Between 1800 and 300 [[BC]], complex cultures began to form. Many matured into advanced [[Pre-Columbian]] [[Mesoamerica]]n civilizations such as the: [[Olmec]], [[Izapa]], [[Teotihuacan]], [[Maya civilization|Maya]], [[Zapotec]], [[Mixtec]], [[Huaxtec]], [[Purepecha]], [[Toltec]] and [[Aztec|Mexica]] (Aztecs), which flourished for nearly 5,000 years before first contact with Europeans. {{cn}}
====Accomplishments====
These indigenous civilizations are credited with many inventions in: building pyramid-temples, mathematics, [[astronomy]], medicine, [[writing]], highly accurate calendars, fine arts, intensive agriculture, engineering, an [[abacus]] calculator ([[Nepohualtzitzin]]), a complex theology, and the wheel. Without any draft animals to do labor, however, the wheel had limited applications and was primarily used for art and toys. [[Metallurgy]] focused on copper, gold, and silver.
Archaic inscriptions on rocks and rock walls all over northern Mexico (especially in the state of [[Nuevo León]]) demonstrate an early propensity for counting in Mexico. These very early and ancient count-markings were associated with astronomical events and underscore the influence that astronomical activities had upon Mexican natives, even before they possessed [[urbanization]].
Many of the later Mexican based civilizations would all carefully build their cities and ceremonial centers according to specific astronomical events. [[Astronomy]] and the notion of human observation of celestial events would become central factors in the development of religious systems, writing systems, fine arts, and architecture. Pre-historic Mexican astronomers set in motion a tradition of obsessive observing, recording, and commemorating astronomical events that later become a hallmark of Mexican civilized achievements. [[Cities]] would be founded and built on astronomical principles, leaders would be appointed on celestial events, wars would be fought according to solar-calendars, and a complex theology using astronomical metaphors would organize the daily lives of millions of people.
At different points in time, three different Mexican cities were the largest cities in the world: [[Teotihuacan]], [[Tenochtitlan]], and [[Cholula]]. These cities, among several others, blossomed as centers of commerce, ideas, ceremonies, and theology. In turn, they radiated influence outwards onto nearby neighboring cultures in central Mexico.
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