Inca Weapons: Instruments of Andean Empire
Inca weapons allowed the Inca to conquer one of the largest empires the world has ever seen. Here’s how these weapons were used.
Mayan Houses: At Home With the Ancient Maya
Mayan houses provide some of the greatest insight into the daily lives of the ancient Maya. Let’s learn about them!
Mayan Pottery: That’s Some Dynamic Ceramic!
Mayan pottery constitutes some of the most breathtaking ancient artifacts to survive to the present day. Learn how they made and used it!
Mayan Artifacts and What They Tell Us About Mayan Society
Mayan artifacts offer us a fascinating glimpse into the material world that the ancient Maya lived in. Let’s learn more about them!
Rise (But Not Fall) of Maya Civilization: Yucatan Handle the Truth!
The rise of the Maya to one of antiquity’s great civilizations is a tale of powerful kings, brilliant people, and an incredible culture.
The Many Roles of Aztec Women in Society
For modern readers, it’s difficult to imagine a pre-modern society where women were not subordinated by men. This stems largely from how dominant European history has become as a means of explaining world history. But, Aztec women had a much different role in their society than we typically realize or acknowledge. While they did have…
Aztec Feathers and Feather Art: Flying High With the Amanteca
In Aztec society, feathers were important symbols of fertility, wealth, power, and abundance, and gave the person wearing them a connection to the divine. In fact, feathers were considered more valuable than jade or turquoise! To truly understand Aztec art and culture, therefore, we have to understand Aztec feather work. How Feathers Were Used in…
Aztec Statues and Sculpture: Carving Out Mexica Art
Aztec sculptures and statues are some of the most beautiful examples of Aztec art that have survived to the present day. They give us wonderful insight into this civilization’s religious beliefs, the skill of their artists, and their place in Mesoamerican history. Inheriting a Long Mesoamerican Tradition Mesoamerican civilization and its traditions stretch back thousands…
Aztec Architecture: Building the World of the Mexica
The Aztecs, or Mexica as they called themselves, were master builders; and Aztec architecture puts this on full display. From jaw-dropping pyramids to life-giving aqueducts, the Aztecs had serious chops. Though many Aztec architectural sites were destroyed by Spanish conquistadors in the wake of the Spanish-Aztec War, we still have ruins and textual evidence that…
Macuahuitl: The Wooden Sword of Aztec Warriors
The macuahuitl was a powerful Aztec weapon that (kind of) resembled a wooden sword. Learn how they were used, made, and more!