Mexico is one of
the countries boasting an extremely rich cultural heritage
dating back to ancient times. Before the Spanish conquistadors
arrived, the cultures and civilizations inhabiting the region
of the Mexican valley developed many ways of expression through
art. Sculpture was an important part of life, as the flexibility
of clay and mud was discovered, and used to make pottery and
ceramics, with intricate decorative designs. Other materials
such as sand, ground shells were also used. The discovery
of a brilliantly shiny metal, gold, also led to exquisite
pieces of art being fashioned well before the Spaniards arrived.
Cave art and paintings also form an important part of life
in the pre-Hispanic civilizations, as an essential part of
religious ceremonies and rituals.
These, and many other indigenous art forms, later blended
with European art forms, but even so many have prevailed to
this day.
