Indiana Jones: Myth, Reality And 21st Century Archaeology

In a world of sensationalist headlines the Aztec would appear to be the ultimate players. But what do we really know and how do we reconcile contradictory trends and traditions? The archaeological record has provided compelling evidence for human sacrifice and brutal warfare in the interests of conquest and expansion. By the same token, magnificent city-states with pyramids, monumental architecture, and complex trading networks bespeak infrastructures that may be the precursors of contemporary administrative structures. But despite their unchallenged dominance in the region, they fell under the pressure of the Spanish conquistadors who directly accounted for the Aztec collapse. How carefully can archaeology sort out fiction from reality in the Aztec legacy? Our special guest this week is Dr. Michael Smith, a leading expert on Aztec archaeology. Dr. Smith adds his unique insights to these and other questions that may help explain the developmental trajectory of an early complex society.