Ancient Civilizations of Mesoamerica

Catalog description

Survey of the ancient civilizations of Mexico and Central America. Overview of culture history from the first settled villages through the Spanish conquest. Special emphasis on the cultural developments of the Olmec, Zapotec, Maya, Toltec, and Aztec societies of highland Mexico, Gulf coast, and lowland Central America. Although the course stresses archaeological data, it will also include pre-Columbian aesthetic achievements, social organization, values, written records, and adaptation to varying environments.