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A richly illustrated look at basic Precolumbian beliefs among ancient Mesoamerican peoples about life and death, body and soul. Drawing on linguistic, ethnographic, and iconographic sources, art historian Jill McKeever Furst argues that the Mexica turned not to mental or linguistic constructions for verifying ideas about the soul, but to what they experienced through the senses. 32 illustrations.
Late in the 15th century the discovery of the New World revealed to the Europeans the existence of peoples and cultures whose forms of artistic and intellectual expression were totally different to their own but of immense appeal. While at that time the white Conquistadores had no interest in and were perhaps incapable of appreciating and respecting this cultural heritage, for some considerable time now the so-called "pre-Columbian civilisations" have been rediscovered and archaeologists are attempting to reconstruct their marvellous cultural mosaic, the roots of which lie in an historical substrata predating the Christian era by some thousands of years. The aim of this book is to trace the development of some of the civilisations that emerged in the Mesoamerican region and gave rise to surprisingly advanced and sophisticated cities. The Olmecs, Maya, Aztecs and other less well known groups have in fact left extraordinary evidence of their passing in the form of great architectural complexes, monumental sculptures, ceramics, jewellery and surprising written records that have only recently given up their secrets. This volume also intends to underline the importance of the so-called minor cultures that have until now been unknown to the public at large but which nonetheless contributed to the economic and cultural development of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. The work is characterised by a dual scientific and generalist approach to provide all readers with in-depth information - that is both stimulating and comprehensible - concerning a world that is still far from contemporary models. Concise but exhaustive captions, comprehensive iconographical references, numerous colour plates, line drawings and black and white maps complement the text and contextualise the cultural parallels and ideologies of the various civilisations in question within the chronological sequence in the most reliable and attractive manner possible.
"This outstanding study spans four rich civilizations in ancient Mexico, from 1500 B.C. to the Spanish conquest soon after A.D.1500: The "Olmecs," hunters and farmers who worshipped the man-jaguar and became the first great carvers in stone and jade. The culture of "Teotihuacan," with its sumptuous palaces and gigantic Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. The "Toltec" dynasty, whose temples, wreathed with carvings of predatory beasts, serpents and warriors, testify to a new militaristic phase in Mexican history. The "Aztecs," fierce empire-builders whose gods demanded complex rituals and the blood of human sacrifice. Writing for students, travellers and non-specialists, Nigel Davies puts these fascinating cultures into historical context. Drawing on the latest research, he discusses their arts, beliefs and customs, and their changing economic and political conditions, to build up a vivid picture of life in the kingdoms of ancient Mexico." --provided by Goodreads.
Masterly....The complexities of Mexico's ancient cultures are perceptively presented and interpreted.--Library Journal
This book is a comprehensive account of the history of ancient Mexico, from its earliest days to the moment of its conquest by the Spaniards. The author meticulously examines the political, cultural, and social aspects of the Aztec civilization, and analyzes the factors that led to its downfall. With a wealth of primary sources and scholarly analysis, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in Mesoamerican history. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Before the modern country was born in 1821, the territory that today comprises 32 states and few small islands was inhabited by ancient dynasties and kingdoms of warriors, astronomers, priests, temples for human sacrifice, and, surprisingly, some of the largest cities in the world.
The definitive textbook on the archaeology and history of Mesoamerica
The tenth anniversary edition of The Oxford History of Mexico tells the fascinating story of Mexico as it has evolved from the reign of the Aztecs through the twenty-first century. Available for the first time in paperback, this magnificent volume covers the nation's history in a series of essays written by an international team of scholars. Essays have been revised to reflect events of the past decade, recent discoveries, and the newest advances in scholarship, while a new introduction discusses such issues as immigration from Mexico to the United States and the democratization implied by the defeat of the official party in the 2000 and 2006 presidential elections. Newly released to commemorate the bicentennial of the Mexican War of Independence and the centennial of the Mexican Revolution, this updated and redesigned volume offers an affordable, accessible, and compelling account of Mexico through the ages.