An Old World Shopping Experience
The origin of the mexican Mercado can be traced back to a group of people who arrived in North America some 12,000 years ago. The Clovis People as they were known, were initially big game hunters but when the glaciers began to retreat in North America and the woolly mammoths and giant elk disappeared they were forced to look elsewhere for survival. Around 2000 BC they learned how to work the land and grew things like maize, beans and squash. Now that they had become farmers, they gave up the nomad lifestyle of chasing wild game, to stay in one place to tend their crops. This brought about a complete cultural change. Now, as a community, they had wares to buy and sell. Thus the mercado is born.
Chiles, Chiles, and More Chiles
Around 1500BC the Olmec Culture was the first major culture to be born in mexico. They were responsible for building massive temples and enormous structures of stone. They had a calendar and a writing system that helped them to keep track of their inventories. The temple cities were generally for religious ceremonies, but when this many people come together a form of commercial commerce was bound to evolve. In these days, goods traded would include things like jade, marine shells and pottery. At these trade centers, people exchanged goods and services but the mercados also provided a place for people to meet and communicate.
As time passed, Mexico became a place of great action and growth. Villages became towns and cities and the mercado also grew in complexity and size. As civilization evolved so did the mercado, and people became more and more dependent on them to peddle 
there goods and services.
Over time, the markets have become more sophisticated but they still hold all their Old World charm. A visit to a mercado is definitely a cultural experience. To smell the smells, see the wares and watch the people is an energizing experience. An adventure back in time awaits you.
