ATH 230 - Inca, Aztec, & Maya

1 course unit

Latin America contains two geographic regions where civilization developed independently, Mesoamerica and South America. This course focuses upon the origin, development, and expression of the Inca, Aztec, Maya, and their predecessors through time. Themes of power, trade, consumption, ritual, identity, and symbolism will be explored through the lens of archaeology. This course employs the long term perspective of archaeology and anthropology to understand controversial issues such as elite dominance, commoner resistance, warfare, auto-sacrifice, and human sacrifice.
Meets general academic requirement DE.