Amerikansk historie: Før Columbus/1492

For 500 år siden blev den storslåede aztekiske hovedstad, Tenochtitlan, erobret af spanske conquistadorer og deres indianske allierede. Snart efter lå dette drømmesyn af en by i ruiner. I dag ligger Tenochtitlan begravet under Mexico City – som en by under byen og et stærkt vidnesbyrd om Mexicos fascinerende historie.Overalt i det centrale og sydlige Mexico findes ruinbyer, tempelpyramider og paladser med vægmalerier og rige grave fra en lang række af de højt udviklede kulturer, der tilsammen udgjorde den mesoamerikanske civilisation.I Landet under landet rejser vi til syv af de mest berømte og storslåede af disse ruinbyer, herunder Teotihuacan og Palenque. Undervejs fortælles ikke blot historien om fortidens byliv, religionsdyrkelse, krige og vidtstrakte handelsnetværk, men også om nutidens Mexico og mødet med den fascinerende mexicanske geografi og natur krydret med oplevelser fra mange års forskning og feltarbejde.500 års spansk kolonisering har udryddet store dele af den mesoamerikanske kulturtradition, men den findes endnu – hvis man ved, hvor man skal kigge. Bogen fortæller om en stærk indiansk kultur i Mexico og viser, at disse nutidige folks verdensopfattelse og sprog kan være en vej til bedre at forstå den præcolumbianske fortid.

Shipwrecked, a courageous and determined Spanish adventurer fights for survival as he navigates complex political power struggles between native priests, ruthless war chiefs, and divine rulers of the exotic Post-classic Maya world.

Discover the ageless knowledge of one of the most remarkable civilizations in the annals of human history by immersing yourself in the enthralling world of Mayan legends. Within the pages of this book, which has been meticulously researched, the author takes you on a journey through the epic stories that are at the core of Mayan culture.Learn about the exploits of the twin heroes Hunahpu and Xbalanque, who are on a quest to find their way to divinity, and allow yourself to be captivated by the mysterious prophecies of the Mayan calendar. Learn more about the mysteries that surround King Pacal and his journey through death, the afterlife, and rebirth.The legends are not the only thing that this book has to offer. It demonstrates how the knowledge of the Maya continues to have an effect in the present day and locates significance in the world that we live in today. From the astronomical orientation of their buildings to the sacred architecture that they left behind, from the fascinating calendar systems that they left behind to the influences that they had on art and science, the Maya leave behind a legacy that both inspires and challenges us for the future.This book takes us on a journey into a world that no longer exists, while simultaneously enhancing our knowledge of history, culture, and ourselves. Get a new perspective on Mayan mythology and allow yourself to be captivated by the profound wisdom it contains.

Migration and Creation in Aztec and Maya Literature provides a new perspective on migration and creation episodes in the Popol Vuh of the Quiché Maya Indians of highland Guatemala, demonstrating that they are largely borrowed from Aztec sources. These findings upend previous interpretations resulting from the widely held belief that the Popol Vuh is the most "authentic" Maya book. Victoria Bricker¿s careful historical analysis explains the origin of these borrowings, which stemmed from the expansion of the Aztec empire southward from the Central Valley of Mexico into the highlands of what is today the Mexican state of Chiapas and continuing into highland Guatemala as far south as the town of Utatlán, whose rulers then intermarried with members of the Aztec royal family.This innovative volume explores new ground, comparing Aztec pictorial representations of migration with Maya written descriptions of the same events and showing that they have much in common. Bricker¿s exploration of creation narratives demonstrates that the Aztec treatment of multiple creations is more coherent than the Popol Vuh version because it describes the end of each creation before embarking on a new creation, whereas the Popol Vuh version refers to the end of all creations only once. Bricker also provides a new interpretation of creation texts from the archaeological sites of Quirigua and Palenque that challenges models suggesting that the Precolumbian Maya, like the Aztecs, believed in multiple creations. Students of Latin American history will find fresh insights regarding interactions and cultural contact in Late Prehispanic Mesoamerica in Bricker¿s study. Victoria Bricker, one of the most accomplished scholars in the field of Mesoamerican studies, presents a fascinating hypothesis about creation legends in this new book. Synthesizing references to Mesoamerican migration and creation accounts in the Colonial period and ethnographic literature, she concludes that the multiple creation events recorded in the Popol Vuh, a colonial-period Quiché Maya text, were derived from Central Mexican traditions. Bricker finds no evidence for multiple creation events in Classic period Maya texts, and suggests that the narrative recorded in the Popol Vuh was probably transferred from the Aztec outpost in Zinacantán, Chiapas, to Quiché nobility, who aspired to increase their status by linking their creation narrative to Aztec accounts. This book provides a stimulating new look at the exchange of ideas across Mesoamerica, and will certainly lead scholars to reexamine the often-claimed link between the Popol Vuh and Classic Maya iconography.¿Dr. Susan Milbrath, Emeritus Curator of Latin American Art and Archaeology Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, GainesvilleThis is an extraordinary book. Only Victoria Bricker¿with her mastery of Maya linguistics, hieroglyphics, and colonial sources, and her knowledge of Aztec texts¿could have compared Aztec and Maya creation literature in the probing and thoughtful way she has. The short chapters, each with its clear focus, carry her analysis naturally forward to a deeper understanding of the Popol Vuh and, indeed, much migration and creation literature in Mesoamerica.¿Dr. Elizabeth Hill Boone, Professor Emerita, Tulane University

Step back in time and explore the captivating world of Cahokia, an ancient city that once thrived at the heart of the Mississippian civilization. In this meticulously researched and comprehensive book, we journey through the history, culture, and legacy of this enigmatic pre-Columbian metropolis."Cahokia: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient American City" delves into the remarkable rise and flourishing of Cahokia, situated in the lush landscapes of present-day Illinois. Through the lens of archaeology, history, and interdisciplinary research, readers will gain a profound understanding of this sophisticated urban center.Uncover the mysteries of Cahokia's social organization, where hierarchical structures and political governance shaped the everyday lives of its inhabitants. Discover the significance of trade networks, commerce, and economic activities that contributed to Cahokia's prosperity and regional influence.Immerse yourself in the spiritual beliefs and religious practices of the Cahokian people, as we explore the sacred sites, rituals, and cosmological connections that bound the community together. Learn about the cultural expressions, symbolism, and artistic traditions that reveal the aesthetics and beliefs of this vibrant civilization.Trace the decline of Cahokia and the debates surrounding its enigmatic fall, investigating the potential factors that led to its transformation over time. Follow the enduring legacy of Cahokia on later Native American cultures and modern society, as we contemplate the impact of this ancient metropolis on the broader historical tapestry.This book sheds light on the diverse and vibrant world of Cahokia. Journey through time and explore the complexities, achievements, and resilience of a civilization that remains a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Americas.

Is it possible that more than 50 years after the assassination of Che Guevara, and after hundreds and perhaps thousands of biographers, analysts, journalists, and scientists researching the life and legacy of Che Guevara, it has not yet been discovered that one of Guevaräs articles was published with a pseudonym in July 1967 in the most important journal of social sciences in Cuba, Pensamiento Crítico? The author of this book proposes an affirmative answer to this question, revealing for the first time at a worldwide level, Che Guevaräs possible authorship of a brilliant article studying the Bolivia situation in 1967, at the same time that Guevaräs National Liberation Army of Bolivia was fighting against the military dictatorship of Rene Barrientos. The book provides a dense and rich series of arguments to prove this audacious historical conjecture. The reader must judge if these arguments are convincing or not.

Theatrum Mundi ("the theatre of the world¿) describes the diversity of masks and performances that originated from the violent struggles between European, Arabic and ¿New World¿ civilizations. This authoritative study celebrates over 500 years of Mexican and South American Indigenous dance dramas and explains how mask makers, religious practitioners, masqueraders and entrepreneurs have helped to continuously reinvent, revitalize and express the changing world around them.The culmination of four decades of research by Dr. Anthony Shelton, professor of art history and director of the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) at the University of British Columbia, the text is illustrated by field photographs and images from MOA and other notable mask collections

I Sydstaternes historie gennemgås områdets fascinerende udvikling lige fra de første menneskers landgang, kolonisering og skabelsen af et bomuldseventyr til ødelæggende borgerkrig, raceadskillelsessamfund og kampen om sydstatssymboler i det offentlige rum.Sydstaternes historie og samfundsforhold er i Europa blevet behandlet yderststedmoderligt på trods af, at regionen har haft en altoverskyggende indflydelse på USA’s udvikling. En indflydelse, der den dag i dag fortsat præger amerikanskpolitik, kultur og identitetsforståelse dybt. Det er således kun muligt at forstå USA og amerikansk tankegang til fulde, hvis man har et nærmere kendskab til sydstaterne. Bogen er en kronologisk og detaljeret gennemgang af sydstatssamfundets historiefremstillet på en præcis og gribende måde.