Final answer:
Mesoamerican civilizations were agricultural societies because their economy and culture heavily depended upon farming, particularly maize cultivation. They developed sedentary villages, and over time, these villages grew into complex societies with intricate social structures. Their typical diet consisted of maize, beans, squash, and foods obtained through hunting and gathering.
Step-by-step explanation:
The civilizations of Mesoamerica were considered agricultural societies primarily because of their reliance on farming as a central part of their economy and culture. The main method of farming used by these civilizations was the cultivation of staple crops, most notably maize. Alongside maize, they also grew beans, squash, and chillies, incorporating these into a typical diet rich in nutrients and calories.
The shift towards maize-based agriculture occurred between 5000 and 3000 BCE and was well established by 2500 BCE. This agricultural revolution allowed for the establishment of sedentary agricultural villages and later, the development of large, complex societies with social hierarchies and specialized work. The surplus of food from intensive agriculture led to the rise of larger populations and advanced urban centers with notable achievements in architecture, writing, and astronomy.
One such advanced civilization was the Olmec, which emerged around 1200 BCE, followed by numerous other influential civilizations, including the Zapotec, Teotihuacan, Maya, and eventually the Aztec, who built a vast empire by the beginning of the 16th century. These civilizations typically had a diet that consisted of maize, beans, squash, and occasionally supplemented by hunting and gathering.