Our understanding of ancient Pre-Columbian civilizations has changed
significantly as the result of archaeological research in the last fifty
years. Major projects during this period included dealing with cultural
change in different contexts (Valley of Mexico, Oaxaca), regional
research projects (Olmec), as well as attempts to understand more
general trends in interpreting Pre-Columbian art and ideology (Codex
Cihuacoatl, Templo Mayor). This book presents both the changes that
occurred in the last few decades, and the impact that they had on our
understanding on ancient Mesoamerican religions and cultures. It also
includes references to some lesser-known research traditions (such as
Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia), as well as to the work of scholars like
Jacques Soustelle or Didier Boremanse. With the insistence on clear
methodology, based on field research, this book uses the context of
specific archaeological finds in order to put Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican
cultures in a historical perspective. In terms of method, the author
follows R. E. W. Adams, Jeremy Sabloff, Robert J. Sharer and other
archaeologists in emphasizing the field archaeology school approach,
with its insistence on using the data acquired in context.
Archaeological and anthropological research is in itself fascinating
enough to not need stolen artefacts, forged vases, fantastic stories and
invented mythical genealogies. The main goal of this book is to produce
a methodologically sound and ethically valid interdisciplinary
introduction into the exciting world of ancient Mesoamerica.
