Pottery Smiling Head 1 at The British Museum, London

myminifactory

After a first flourishing of Olmec culture, the Gulf Coast civilization's focus gradually shifted northward to El Tajin, its regional capital and ceremonial center. A dynamic and distinct art style emerged in southern Veracruz, eventually exerting influence at Teotihuacan and Tula, the Toltec capital in the central highlands. A constant exchange of ideas and trade strengthened connections between the Gulf Coast lowlands and successive highland cultures. One manifestation of this was the development of a ritual ball game, variants of which were widely adopted throughout Mesoamerica. Local cult sanctuaries and shrines, originally at the center of local worship, became part of a broader 'sacred geography' embracing mountains, lakes, and islands. Over centuries, seasonal rites and ceremonies were incorporated into an agricultural calendar revolving around the seasons.