How much history matters politically?
Pardon my proclivities, but I have been fascinated by archaeology since I read Gods, Graves, and Scholars in junior high school. When I had opportunities, I volunteered on local archaeology projects in the 1970s (yes, prehistoric archaeology in Minnesota). I am still amazed by how much we can describe of people's lives by the physical stuff they leave behind. (Think about that the next time you take out the garbage.)So, when I saw this article about urban archaeology in Mexico, I read it. The archaeological discoveries, this time amplified by the written observations of the Spanish conquerors, do offer insights into the Aztec political culture.
The question remains, though, does this have any relevance to today's political culture -- except, perhaps, as a symbol of pre-colonial greatness?
Archaeologists uncover Aztec palace in Mexico City
"Archaeologist Elsa Hernandez and her team have found remains belonging to an Aztec palace once inhabited by the emperor Montezuma. Photograph: Alexandre Meneghini/AP"
"The remains of an Aztec palace once inhabited by the emperor Montezuma have been discovered in the heart of downtown Mexico City, archaeologists said today.
"During a routine renovation project on a colonial-era building, experts uncovered pieces of a wall as well as a basalt floor believed to have been part of a dark room where Montezuma meditated, team leader Elsa Hernandez said...
"The basalt floor most likely belongs to the Casa Denegrida, or the Black House, which Spanish conquerors described as a windowless room painted in black, said Hernandez.
"The emperor was believed to have reflected there on visions recounted by professional seers and shamans.
"His reliance on such predictions may have contributed to his downfall, possibly prompting him to initially mistake the conquistadors for divine figures."
Labels: culture, history, Mexico, political culture
posted by Ken Wedding @ 6:52 AM
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