Home Region:  Mexico (North America)

Late Formative Basin of Mexico

400 BCE 101 BCE
D G SC WF RG EQ 2020  mx_basin_of_mexico_5 / MxFormL
Preceding Entity: Add one more here.
Succeeding Entity: Add one more here.


  General Description   The Basin or Valley of Mexico is a highlands plateau in central Mexico roughly corresponding to modern-day Mexico City. Here, we are interested in the phase of its prehistory known as the Late Formative period (c. 400-101 BCE). In this period, polities throughout Mesoamerica experienced increases in wealth, influence, and hierarchical complexity. [1] In the Basin of Mexico, Cuicuilco, Tlapacoya, and Cholula all became major regional centers with monumental architecture. [2]
No estimates could be found for the population of the average autonomous political unit at the time. The largest known settlement, Cuicuilco, may have had a population of at least 20,000 acrross 400 ha. [3]
Political power was inherently theocratic; [4] [5] [6] beyond that, the exact administrative mechanisms prevalent at the time remain unclear.

[1]: (Evans 2012: 120) Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/AN5IUQ7X.

[2]: (Sugiyama 2012: 216) Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/ZJWB86UI.

[3]: (Cowgill 2015: 42) Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/JRFZPUXU.

[4]: Barba de Piña Chán, Beatriz. (1980). Tlapacoya: Los Principios de la Teocracia en la Cuenca de Mexico. Biblioteca Enciclopedica del Estado de Mexico, p.13-42, 95-142.

[5]: Plunket, Patricia and Gabriela Uruñuela. (2012). "Where East Meets West: The Formative in Mexico’s Central Highlands." Journal of Archaeological 20(1): 1-51

[6]: Carballo, David M. (2016). Urbanization and Religion in Ancient Central Mexico. Oxford: Oxford University Press, p.73-215.

General Variables
Identity and Location
Temporal Bounds
Political and Cultural Relations
Language
Religion
Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale
Hierarchical Complexity
Professions
Bureaucracy Characteristics
Law
Specialized Buildings: polity owned
Transport Infrastructure
Special-purpose Sites
Information / Writing System
Information / Kinds of Written Documents
Information / Money
Information / Postal System
Information / Measurement System
Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications
Military use of Metals
Projectiles
Handheld weapons
Animals used in warfare
Armor
Naval technology
Economy Variables (Luxury Goods) Coding in Progress.
Religion Variables Coding in Progress.
Crisis Consequences Coding in Progress.
Power Transitions Coding in Progress.

NGA Settlements:

Year Range Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5) was in:
 (400 BCE 101 BCE)   Basin of Mexico
Home NGA: Basin of Mexico
General Variables
Identity and Location Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Utm Zone 14 Q Confident Expert 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Original Name Late Formative Basin of Mexico Confident Expert 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Alternative Name NO_VALUE_ON_WIKI Confident Expert 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Temporal Bounds Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Peak Years 200 BCE Confident Expert
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Duration [400 BCE ➜ 101 BCE] Confident Expert
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Political and Cultural Relations Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Suprapolity Relations unknown [---] Suspected Expert 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Supracultural Entity uncoded Undecided Expert 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Succeeding Entity MxFormT Confident Expert 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Scale of Supracultural Interaction 40,000 km2 Confident Expert 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Relationship to Preceding Entity continuity Confident Expert 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Preceding Entity
800 BCE 401 BCE
Middle Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_4)   [continuity]  Confident Expert
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Succeeding Entity
100 BCE 99 CE
Terminal Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_6)   [continuity]  Confident Expert
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Degree of Centralization quasi-polity Confident Expert 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Language Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Linguistic Family Otomanguean Confident Expert 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Linguistic Family Mixe-Zoquean Confident Expert 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Language Genus uncoded Undecided Expert 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Language unknown Suspected Expert 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Religion Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Population of the Largest Settlement 20,000 people Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Polity Territory - Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Polity Population - Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Hierarchical Complexity Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Settlement Hierarchy [3 to 4] Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Religious Level 2 Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Military Level - Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Administrative Level - Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Professions Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Soldier Unknown Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Professional Priesthood Present Inferred 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Professional Military Officer Unknown Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Bureaucracy Characteristics Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Government Building Present Inferred 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Merit Promotion Unknown Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Full Time Bureaucrat Unknown Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Examination System Unknown Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Law Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Lawyer Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Judge Unknown Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Absent Inferred 400 BCE  101 BCE
Court Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Specialized Buildings: polity owned Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Market Unknown Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Irrigation System Present Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Food Storage Site Absent Inferred 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Drinking Water Supply System Present Inferred 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Transport Infrastructure Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Road Unknown Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Port Absent Inferred 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Canal Absent Inferred 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Bridge Unknown Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Special-purpose Sites Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Mines or Quarry Present Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Other Special Purpose Site Uncoded Undecided 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Information / Writing System Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Written Record Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Script Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Phonetic Alphabetic Writing Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Nonwritten Record Present Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Mnemonic Device Present Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Information / Kinds of Written Documents Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Scientific Literature Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Sacred Text Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Religious Literature Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Practical Literature Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Philosophy Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Lists Tables and Classification Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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History Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Fiction Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Calendar Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Information / Money Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Token Unknown Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Precious Metal Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Paper Currency Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Indigenous Coin Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Foreign Coin Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Article Present Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Information / Postal System Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Information / Measurement System Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Wooden Palisade Unknown Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Stone Walls Non Mortared Unknown Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Stone Walls Mortared Present Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Settlements in a Defensive Position Present Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Modern Fortification Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Moat Unknown Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Fortified Camp Absent Inferred 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Earth Rampart Unknown Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Ditch Unknown Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Complex Fortification Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Long Wall absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Military use of Metals Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Steel Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Iron Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Copper Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Bronze Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Projectiles Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Tension Siege Engine Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Sling Siege Engine Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Sling Present Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Self Bow Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Javelin Absent Inferred 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Handheld Firearm Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Gunpowder Siege Artillery Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Crossbow Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Composite Bow Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Atlatl Present Inferred 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Handheld weapons Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
War Club Present Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Sword Absent Inferred 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Spear Present Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Polearm Absent Inferred 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Dagger Present Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Battle Axe Absent Inferred 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Animals used in warfare Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Horse Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Elephant Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Donkey Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Dog Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Camel Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Armor Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Wood Bark Etc Unknown Suspected 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Shield Present Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Scaled Armor Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Plate Armor Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Limb Protection Absent Inferred 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Leather Cloth Absent Inferred 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Laminar Armor Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Helmet Absent Inferred 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Chainmail Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Breastplate Absent Inferred 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Naval technology Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Military Vessel Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Small Vessels Canoes Etc Present Confident Uncertain 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Small Vessels Canoes Etc Absent Confident Uncertain 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Merchant Ships Pressed Into Service Absent Confident 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Economy Variables (Luxury Goods)
Religion Variables
Moralizing Supernatural Punishment and Reward Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Moralizing Enforcement is Broad Absent Confident Disputed 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Moralizing Supernatural Concern is Primary Absent Confident Disputed 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Agentic Absent Confident Disputed 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement in This Life Absent Confident Disputed 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Moralizing Supernatural Punishment And Reward Absent Confident Disputed 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Commoners Absent Confident Disputed 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Targeted Absent Confident Disputed 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement in Afterlife Absent Confident Disputed 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Elites Absent Confident Disputed 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement of Rulers Absent Confident Disputed 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Certain Absent Confident Disputed 400 BCE  101 BCE
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Human Sacrifice Late Formative Basin of Mexico (mx_basin_of_mexico_5)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Crisis Cases
View all Crisis Cases
Instability Data
Power Transitions
View all Power Transitions