Aztecs, Maya

Catalog description

The prehistoric and historic cultures of ancient Mesoamerica have captivated the imaginations of people for centuries. How is it, in an environment that lends the ability to domesticate so few plants and animals, that these ancient peoples able to create such awe-inspiring architecture and complex cultural traditions? How were these ancient peoples able to build complex cultures in rainforest environments? What led these peoples to build such strong ties with one another, leading to complex trading and tribute systems? These are only a few of the many questions explored in the context of this course. Focusing on the culture area of Mesoamerica-including Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador-the course begins by discussing the peopling of these regions. A discussion of the natural environment follows, so students will gain an understanding of the natural barriers and challenges facing these ancient cultures. The course ill also follow a discussion of the domestication of plants and animals, the formation of the Archaic Period, the rise of the "civilization", the settling of Preclassic period peoples, the development of the "state" and the rise of Classic Period Mesoamerica, the sociopolitical rise and fall of the Postclassic Mesoamerican society, and, finally, concluding with the Contact Period era. The course will focus on the archaeological, economic, social, political, and religious foundations of ancient Mesoamericans.