Colonial and Postcolonial Change in Mesoamerica: Archaeology as Historical Anthropology

This book offers a new perspective on human interaction and culture change in Mesoamerica by connecting the past to the present through the archaeological record. It demonstrates that the patterns observed today are contingent and culturally mediated, making the past relevant to the present.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 30 January 2019
Publisher: University of New Mexico Press

This captivating book delves into a fresh perspective on human interaction and cultural transformation in Mesoamerica, seamlessly bridging the present with the past. Social histories that overlook the invaluable archaeological record fail to fully comprehend the intricate connections between local practices and global processes. To address this gap, the authors meticulously analyze the material manifestations of the colonial and postcolonial trajectory, considering the broader historical context that has unfolded over the past five hundred years. Through a comprehensive examination of economic history, commodity production, agrarian change, resistance, religious shifts, and sociocultural identity, the authors unveil the often surprising patterns observed today as the result of historically contingent and culturally mediated processes. This groundbreaking scholarship aligns with the vision of Alexander and Kepecs, who perceive archaeology as a powerful tool for making the past immediately relevant to the present. By unraveling the complexities of Mesoamerica's past, this book offers valuable insights into the complexities of our world today.

Weight: 1404g
Dimension: 224 x 290 x 39 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780826359735