Berdan Frances F. Aztec Archaeology and Ethnohistory

Cambridge University Press, 2014. — xx + 347 p. — (Cambridge World Archaeology). — ISBN: 978-0-521-88127-2.This book provides an up-to-date synthesis of Aztec culture, applying interdisciplinary approaches (archaeology, ethnohistory, and ethnography) to the reconstruction of a complex and enigmatic civilization. Frances F. Berdan offers a balanced assessment of complementary and sometimes contradictory sources in unraveling this ancient way of life. The book provides a cohesive view of the Aztecs and their empire, emphasizing the diversity and complexity of social, economic, political, and religious roles played by the many kinds of people we call “Aztecs.” Concluding with three integrative case studies, the book examines the stresses, dynamics, and anchors of Aztec culture and society.Setting the Stage.
Discovering, Uncovering, and Interpreting the Aztec World.
The Aztecs as Mesoamericans.
Aztec Society and Culture.
Living on the Land.
Craft Specialization, Commerce, and Trade.
City-States and Imperial Rule.
Living as an Aztec: Social Status and Daily Life.
Religion, Science, and the Arts.
The Aztec World: An Integrated View.