Pre-Columbian Honduras

In the case of the region east of the great transversal depression of Honduras and next to the Caribbean Sea, we have yam or mountain cassava crops along with hunting and fishing that characterize the Circuncaribe cultural influence.

They reached a high scientific development in mathematics and astronomy; in addition to architecture and sculpture, that employed in the construction of big cities.

Important pieces of Jade and metals from archaeological sites in Mayan cities such as Copan Ruinas and El Puente show that they maintained absolute control of trade networks during the classical period.

This area in the Honduran context is characterized by the following cultural features, intensive agriculture with emphasis on the cultivation of corn, cultivation of cocoa, polished obsidian, pyrite mirrors, copper tubes for piercing stones, swords of wood with flint or obsidian leaves on the edges, headdresses like a turban, step pyramids, stucco floors, ball games, hieroglyphic writing, codices, ritual calendar of 260 days and solar calendar of 365 days forming a cycle of 52 years, specialized markets, military orders, wars to obtain victims for sacrifice and city states that made up an advanced civilization, in addition to having a social stratification where the ruler was the link between the land and the gods.

Among these characteristics are the existence of matrilineal clans, unique funerary practices such as the ingestion of bones of deceased relatives, the use of ornaments on the edge of the ear, as well as the cultivation of coca and palms.

Unlike Mesoamerica, this intermediate area was organized in chieftain societies in which leaders were not considered bearers of divine power, but rather their authority was based on earthly relationships.

The technical and artistic production of decorated ceramics, together with the development of goldsmithing and lapidary arts, stands out as evidence of a high degree of sophistication in these societies.

[6] This analysis invites us to reconsider traditional notions about social organization and cultural expression in the intermediate area, revealing a rich diversity that deserves deeper study in the context of pre-Columbian civilizations.

[8] Although scientific controversies exist on the descendants and origin of the Lencas, of agreement to Rodolfo Baron Castro, are the direct rests heirs of the Mayas, that did not follow the exodus that gave end to the Ancient Empire.

"[9] However, other theories maintain that this group is much older, possibly being a descendant of Olemecs, thanks to the archaeological evidence of Los Naranjois, which were confirmed to be built by ancestors of this culture.

After the fall of the Aztec empire in 1521 with the victory of Hernán Cortés and his allies, Gil González Dávila became the first Spaniard to arrive in Honduras for conquest purposes.

Then Cortes, moved by the reports he had received on the great wealth found in those territories, gave authorization to send two expeditions, one for more and the other for land.

He founded the town of Natividad near Puerto Horses and appointed Hernando de Saavedra, Governor of Honduras and left instructions to treat the indigenous people well, allowing some of them to keep their lands and properties.