ANTH 3310 - Ancient Civilizations of Middle America

Goals: To offer an interdisciplinary survey of the complex cultural diversity that characterized ancient Mesoamerica (central to southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Western Honduras, El Salvador). To be aware of, to be able to synthesize, and to be able to evaluate how archaeological anthropologists have employed analytical techniques and systemic perspectives to understand prehistoric cultural dynamics that contributed to the rise of the various prehistoric complex societies of ancient Middle America.

Content: Comparative archaeological and ethnohistorical information, theories, and controversies related to the various cultures and civilizations (Olmec, Zapotec, Mixtec, Totonac, Teotihuacan, Maya, Toltec, Aztec) that flourished in Mesoamerica from the earliest human colonization during Pleistocene times through the arrival of the Spanish in the sixteenth century.

Taught: Annually.

Prerequisite: ANTH 1160.

Credits: 4 credits