The Aztecs - Paperback

by Michael E. Smith (Author)

The Aztecs brings to life one of the best-known indigenous civilizations of the Americas in a vivid, comprehensive account of the ancient Aztecs.

• A thorough examination of Aztec origins and civilization including religion, science, and thought
• Incorporates the latest archaeological excavations and research into explanations of the Spanish conquest and the continuity of Aztec culture in Central Mexico
• Expanded coverage includes key topics such as writing, music, royal tombs, and Aztec predictions of the end of the world

Back Jacket

The Aztecs brings to life one of the best-known indigenous civilizations of the Americas in a vivid, comprehensive account of the ancient Aztecs. Immensely readable, Smith's detailed descriptions of the daily life of the Aztec people provide an excellent and thorough grounding in the subject for students and general readers.

Based on the earliest discoveries and newest research in the field, The Aztecs, Third Edition has been revised and updated with the latest advances in Aztec archaeology and ethnohistory. Smith presents a new perspective on Aztec government and kings, additional descriptions of major archaeological sites, and expanded coverage of codices, religious beliefs, and the importance of areas distant from the capital city. New photographs and illustrations from the latest fieldwork rounds out the most informative and up-to-date treatment of Aztec civilization available.

Author Biography

Michael E. Smith is Professor of Anthropology in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change at Arizona State University. He has directed excavations at numerous Aztec sites and is co-editor (with Marilyn Masson) of The Ancient Civilizations of Mesoamerica: A Reader (Blackwell, 1999) and author of Aztec City-State Capitals (University Press of Florida, 2008).