The first forms of economic organization in Pre-Hispanic Mexico were agriculture and hunting activities. The first people who inhabited the Mexican lands and part of Central America were great builders and later on creators of some of the most advanced civilizations of that time. The economy of that time, however, was based on the commercial activities, the division of society into classes, and later the importance that was generated in the economy by the so-called Tlatoani of the Aztecs.
Pre-classic Period
The Pre-classic period in Mesoamerica (2500 B.C. - 200 A.D.)
During this period there was an increase in the population and sedentarism, causing the origin of complex societies with intensive cropping systems. Some researchers said that agriculture forced societies to adopt sedentary lifestyle; others think that the reason was due to the increase in the population since agriculture could supply more food than hunting.
The ancient cultures which developed during that period tended to manufacture and improve ceramics. Ceramic was very important because it allowed a better transportation of materials as well as aiding in the development of newer ovens to create special handcrafts such as female figurines.
The early Pre-classic (2500 B.C. - 1200 B.C.)
In this period began the settlement of ancient societies, groups of small villages or small houses inhabited by large families. However, there was still not a social structure until the middle and late Preclassic period. In agriculture, societies that settled in states such as Puebla, Tlaxcala and Tabasco started to domesticate wild plants such as corn, amaranth, pumpkin, chili pepper and green tomato. On the other hand, in the peninsula of Yucatan and Mexico, they had not yet domesticated plants.
The middle Pre-classic (1200 B.C. - 400 B.C.)
During this period, the society was divided into classes and each of them had different activities. People from the upper class or elite groups were dedicated to the organization of commerce as well as religious ceremonies, while in the lower class were mainly focused on agriculture and the construction of cities.
Long-distance trade between the ancient cultures of Mesoamerica was increasing. But above all, regional specialization was a key factor during this period. Trade was also important in order to create allegiances among their allies and vassals. However, long-distance trade was not very large since it didn’t exist any transportation for the exchange of the goods; for that reason, some cultures sent people (Tamemes) walking to those destinations. The Tamemes were in charge to carry all the products on their backs and there was a relay after every certain distance.
Civilizations of the middle Pre-classic (1200 B.C. - 400 B.C.)
Olmecs
The Olmecs may be considered the mother culture of the Pre-Columbian civilizations. The Olmecs regional center was San Lorenzo (1150 - 900 B.C.) and even though their economic activity in this center is still unknown, obsidian workshops have been found. The second capital of the Olmecs was La Venta (900 – 500 B.C.) where, due to its location and easy access to natural resources, took place many important activities such as fishing, hunting and overall, agriculture.
Mayas
The Maya civilization based their economy mainly on the agriculture trade, but hunting of wild animals and collecting forest products were also important activities. Maya agriculture was also based on harvesting corn. The population increment during the early and late pre-classic forced the rulers to find alternatives for high-productive harvesting. Intensive methods were introduced that made use of irrigation channels and special techniques associated with hydraulic engineering. They were also trading products like salt, seashells, obsidian, jade and Quetzal feathers, with other nearby regions.