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preclassic

preclassic

8.4
About the time before a culture's classical period
  • adjective
  • /priˈklæsɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : preclásico
  • They depict the Maya maize god and date to as early as 300 B.C., the earliest known Preclassic Maya art.
  • the early Preclassic

Examples

  • Middle and Late Preclassic Maya vessels with stubby spouts may have been used to froth the liquid inside with blown air.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Early Preclassic cultures are generally thought to have been egalitarian, but Henderson and Joyce believe that cacao parties could also be a sign that some people, those with access to higher-quality polychrome pots, were striving for greater status.

    Academic text (2010)
  • The channel fill produced mixed lots of mostly Late/Terminal Classic shards, but with a much higher mix of Early Classic and Late Preclassic shards.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The early civilization is known for its preclassic architectural styles that laid the foundation for future cultures.

  • Researchers study preclassic artifacts to understand the social structures of ancient societies before the classical era.

  • The exhibition showcases preclassic pottery, highlighting the artistic techniques used by artists centuries before the classical period.

Synonyms

preclassical
vspreclassic
  • Specialized
8.1

Belonging to the time before the classical era in art, music, or literature

refers to the earlier period across a particular culture or civilization

Surface Forms

preclassic positive

Morphology

preclassic = classic (semi-transparent) = pre + classic

The prefix 'pre-' clearly means 'before', but the term is a specialized historical label tied to a culture's 'Classic' phase rather than a fully general everyday meaning of 'classic'.

Etymology

Preclassic is made of the prefix pre- meaning 'before' and classic, meaning the 'main' or well-known period, like in preview or preheat where pre- also means 'before'. So preclassic describes something from 'before' the classical era of a culture.