22 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 146 
knives and punches, tablets with low relief carving, urns with or 
without burials, burial mounds, sunken patios, stairways with balus- 
trades, and perhaps columns. 
During this period a number of local centers develop, some of 
which still show the intermixture of the two traditions of the pre- 
vious period. Among these are Zacatenco, Ticoman, Cuicuilco, Tlapa- 
coya, Chalcatzingo, Gualupita, Tres Zapotes, La Venta, Monte Al- 
ban, Trapiche, Chiapa de Corzo, and Teotihuacan. 
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL HORIZON (200 B.C. TO A.D. 1550) 
Theocratic Period (200 B.C. to a.d. 800) — As a result of the process 
of cultural evolution, some of the unplanned centers developed into 
true planned, urbanized ceremonial centers. Astronomy, mathematics, 
the calendar, glyphic writing, monumental architecture, sculpture, 
and mural painting become highly developed. The existence of these 
large centers implies the existence of economic surpluses and well- 
organized means of distribution and control, advanced occupational 
specialization, theocratic government, intensive commerce with mar- 
kets and traders, intensive and extensive agriculture, social stratifica- 
tion, control of the sources of production by the upper class, poly- 
theistic religion, and temples and priestly hierarchies. It has not yet 
been demonstrated that irrigation was the principal factor in the de- 
velopment of these features. 
The ceremonial center is converted into the headquarters of the 
priesthood and their servants, the source of learning, the marketplace, 
the focus of ritual, as well as the locus of other activities requiring the 
gathering of people. These multiple functions are reflected in func- 
tional structures such as ball courts, plazas and causeways, temples 
and altars, palaces, and drainage constructions. The result can be 
considered a true city, something which did not exist in the preced- 
ing period. 
The architecture makes much use of the vertical panel over a 
sloping batter (talud y tablero), with local modifications in various 
parts of the plateau, while on the Gulf coast earth mounds predom- 
inate as substructures for temples and dwellings. In the Maya re- 
gion, stone structures are common and make use of the corbelled 
vault. Plumb bobs, chisels, and polishing tools formed part of the 
builders' equipment. 
Architecture takes precedence over monumental sculpture and 
painting ; the stela cult reaches its climax ; stucco decoration becomes 
common on Maya buildings. Deities such as Tlaloc, Tlazolteotl, 
