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Zusatztext *** Winner of the Society of American Archaeology 2017 Book Award - Popular ***"Resisting the trappings of 'monumental archaeology'- a fixation on kings! priests! pyramids! and bloody ceremonies that has for so long dominated scholarly discourse - Michael E Smith instead focuses on the life of the 'ordinary' Aztec! diving into trash heaps and exploring households in order to investigate the humble communities that actually made up the largest part of Aztec society... Through his remarkably engaging narrative! Smith often weaves personal anecdotes and methodological insights! drawing the reader into the hot Mexican dirt right alongside him."- Current World Archaeology"Smith is one of the preeminent authorities and archaeologists of the Aztec! and his compassionate rendition in this instance is a welcome contribution. In this eminently readable! engaging account! he weaves a wondrous archaeological tapestry of the unsung heroes and prosperous peasant communities whose resilience! determination! and cultural knowledge stand in stark contrast to the myths and misgivings that today cloud the interpretation of thousands of years of Mesoamerican civilization and civility. Summing up: Essential"- R. G. Mendoza! CHOICE Reviews Informationen zum Autor Michael Smith is the owner of the Sun Theatre in Yarraville, Melbourne, which he bought in 1995 and restored, and a keen flyer. He made a full-length documentary about his record-breaking round-the-world flight, which will be screened around Australia. He was recently named the 2016 Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year. Klappentext At Home with the Aztecs provides a fresh view of Aztec society, focusing on households and communities instead of kings, pyramids, and human sacrifice. This new approach offers an opportunity to humanize the Aztecs, moving past the popular stereotype of sacrificial maniacs to demonstrate that these were successful and prosperous communities. Michael Smith also engagingly describes the scientific, logistic and personal dimensions of archaeological fieldwork, drawing on decades of excavating experience and considering how his research was affected by his interaction with contemporary Mexican communities. Through first-hand accounts of the ways archaeologists interpret sites and artifacts, the book illuminates how the archaeological process can provide information about ancient families. Facilitating a richer understanding of the Aztec world, Smith's research also redefines success, prosperity and resilience in ancient societies, making this book suitable not only for those interested in the Aztecs but in the examination of complex societies in general. Zusammenfassung At Home with the Aztecs provides a fresh view of Aztec society, focusing on households and communities instead of kings, pyramids, and human sacrifice. This new approach offers an opportunity to humanize the Aztecs, moving past the popular stereotype of sacrificial maniacs to demonstrate that these were successful and prosperous communities. Michael Smith also engagingly describes the scientific, logistic and personal dimensions of archaeological fieldwork, drawing on decades of excavating experience and considering how his research was affected by his interaction with contemporary Mexican communities. Through first-hand accounts of the ways archaeologists interpret sites and artifacts, the book illuminates how the archaeological process can provide information about ancient families. Facilitating a richer understanding of the Aztec world, Smith’s research also redefines success, prosperity and resilience in ancient societies, making this book suitable not only for those interested in the Aztecs but in the examination of complex societies in general. Inhaltsverzeichnis Chapter 1. Rusty Nails, Stone Walls and a Drum The Aztecs: Bloodthirsty Savages or Just Regular Folks? Who Were the Aztecs, An...
