The Ancient Civilizations of Mesoamerica

A Reader
Herausgeber: Smith, Michael E; Masson, Marilyn A

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Twenty-three of the most influential essays by leading scholars are brought together in this Reader, revealing the rich variety of cultures and societies that existed in ancient Mesoamerica. Expert editorial introductions explain the context and significance of the contributions, and extensive bibliographies facilitate further research. This illustrated volume includes the results of the most up-to-date research on a wide range of social practices, cultures, and time periods. Among the subjects addressed are social, economic, and political organization, as well as religion and ideology. The readings are arranged thematically rather than by region in order to compare the main characteristics of Mesoamerican city and rural life, and to bring out both the unity and diversity of these ancient peoples.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Wiley
• Seitenzahl: 514
• Erscheinungstermin: 7. April 2000
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 249mm x 175mm x 30mm
• Gewicht: 993g
• ISBN-13: 9780631211150
• ISBN-10: 0631211152
• Artikelnr.: 22484099

Autorenporträt

Michael E. Smith is Professor of Anthropology, State University of New York at Albany. He is an archaeologist specializing in the study of the Aztecs of central Mexico, and has directed fieldwork projects at Aztec sites in the Mexican state of Morelos. He is the author of The Aztecs (Blackwell, 1996); co-author and co-editor of Aztec Imperial Strategies (with Frances Berdan et al., 1996) and co-editor of Economies and Polities in the Aztec Realm (with Mary G. Hodge, 1994). Marilyn A. Masson is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the State University of New York at Albany. She is a Mesoamerican archaeologist currently focusing on the Postclassic period of the Maya lowlands under the auspices of the Belize Postclassic Project, formed in 1996. She is co-editor of The Belize Postclassic Project 1998: Investigations at Progresso Lagoon (1999).

Inhaltsangabe

Notes on Contributors.
Preface.
Acknowledgments.
Introduction: Mesoamerican Civilizations: Marilyn A. Masson and Michael E.
Smith (both at State University of New York at Albany).
Part I: The Organization of Society:.
Editors' Introduction.
1. Analyzing Household Activities: Kent V. Flannery (University of
Michigan) and Marcus C. Winter (Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e
Historia, Oaxacca, Mexico).
2. Distinguishing the High and Mighty from the Hoi Polloi at Tikal,
Guatemala: William A. Haviland (University of Vermont) and Hattula
Moholy-Nagy (University of Michigan).
3. On the Nature of the Mesoamerican City: Joyce Marcus (University of
Michigan).
4. Corporate Groups and Domestic Activities at Teotihuacan: Linda
Manzanilla (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México).
Part II: Economic Organization:.
Editors' Introduction.
5. Landscapes of Cultivation in Mesoamerica on the Eve of the Conquest:
Thomas M. Whitmore (University of North Carolina) and B. L. Turner II
(Clark University).
6. Lithic Craft Specialization and Product Distribution at the Maya Site of
Colha, Belize: Harry J. Shafer (Texas A & M University) and Thomas R.
Hester (University of Texas).
7. Economic Change in the Lowland Maya Late Classical Period: Prudence M.
Rice (Southern Illinois University).
8. Imports and Exports in Classic Mesoamerican Political Economy: The
Tehuacan Valley and the Teotihuacan Obsidian Industry: Robert D. Drennan
(University of Pittsburgh), Philip T. Fitzgibbons (Franciscan University of
Steubenville, Ohio), Heinz Dehn (University of Pittsburgh (retired)).
9. Principles of Regional and Long-distance Trade in the Aztec Empire:
Frances F. Berdan (California State University, San Bernardino).
10. New Perspectives on Prehispanic Highland Mesoamerica: A Macroregional
Approach: Gary M. Feinman and Linda M. Nicholas (both Field Museum of
Natural History).
11. Rural Economy in Late Postclassic Morelos: An Archaeological Study:
Michael E. Smith, Cynthia Heath-Smith (both State University of New York at
Albany).
Part III: Political Organization:.
Editors' Introduction.
12. The Power of Prestige: Competitive Generosity and the Emergence of Rank
Societies in Lowland Mesoamerica: John E. Clark (Brigham Young University)
and Michael Blake (University of British Columbia).
13. Classic Maya Emblem Glyphs: Peter Mathews (University of Calgary).
14. Ideology in Ancient Maya Cultural Evolution: The Dynamics of Galactic
Policies: Arthur A. Demarest (Vanderbilt University).
15. State and Society at Teotihuacan, Mexico: George L. Cowgill (Arizona
State University).
16. Militarism and Social Organization at Xochicalco, Morelos: Kenneth G.
Hirth (Pennsylvania State University).
17. The Four Priests: Political Stability: John M. D. Pohl (University of
California, Los Angeles).
Part IV: Religion and ideology:.
Editors' Introduction.
18. Art, Ritual, and Rulership in the Olmec World: F. Kent Reilly, III
(Southwest Texas State University).
19. Ancient Zapotec Ritual and Religion: An Application of the Direct
Historical Approach: Joyce Marcus and Kent V. Flannery (both University of
Michigan).
20. Kingship in the Late Preclassic Lowlands: The Instruments and Places of
Ritual Power: David A. Freidel (Southern Methodist University) and Linda
Schele (deceased).
21. Postclassic Maya Ritual at Laguna de On Island, Belize: Marilyn A.
Masson (State University of New York at Albany).
22. Figurines and the Aztec State: Testing the Effectiveness of Ideological
Domination: Elizabeth M. Brumfiel (Albion College, Michigan).
23. Living with the Ancestors: Kinship and Kingship in Ancient Maya
Society: Patricia A. McAnany (Boston University).
Index.