Architecture and Burials in the Maya and Aztec essays

Architecture and Burials in the Maya and Aztec essays Plundering and carnage were the overlying results of the Spanish conquest of MesoAmerica beginning in 1519. The ensuing years brought many new "visitors," mostly laymen or officials in search of wealth, though the Christianity toting priest was ever present. Occasionally a man from any of these classes, though mainly priests would be so in awe of the civilization they were single handedly massacring that they began to observe and document things such as everyday life, religious rituals, economic goings on, and architecture, which was the biggest achievement in the eyes of the Spaniards. That is how the accounts of Friar Diego de Landa, a priest, were created, giving us rare first per-son historical accounts of the conquest and the people it effected. To archaeologists monumental architecture is more important than an inscribed stelae listing names and dates. There is so much more to learn from a building than a slab of stone usually seething with propaganda. In most societies they are what remains after conquest, usually for their beauty or ability to withstand the elements. Landa was amazed by what he found. "There are in Yucatan many edifices of great beauty, this be-ing the most outstanding of all things discovered in the Indies; they are all build of stone finely ornamented..." (Landa, 8). If it were a commoners domestic dwelling we would learn through the study of remaining artifacts and middens what objects were used on a daily basis and also the standard of living, helping us to construct an accurate view of the long neglected commoner. According to Landa steepled roofs covered with thatch or palm leaves protected the habitat from rain. Homes were often divided into two sections, a living section, customarily whit ewashed, and a domestic area where food was prepared and inhabitants slept (Landa, 32). In Aztec societies commoners often lived in calpolli, a residential area segregated by occupation, usually surrounde...

Free Essays on Book Review Of “The Pueblo Revolt Of 1680”

Book Review of â€Å"The Pueblo Revolt of 1680† Discovering the past of North America has been an twisted and dark story of inhumanity and self indulgence. The treatment of others by the European powers has recently been uncovered as a degrading time for the Native Americans. Nobody else in the past five hundred years has faced genocide of this power; albeit, the forces of the Spanish people have created the most horrific stories of domination by one race. To say all the Spanish people were horrible is in fact a nasty thing to say; there were some people under the Spanish crown that wanted fair treatment of the natives. Andrew L. Knaut explores these sides of the Spanish crown during the seventeenth century of their claim to New Mexico. The native peoples of the New Mexican territory would struggle to maintain or gain power back from the Spanish peoples; but the Spanish would find every outlet of exploitation and force new ideas upon these Pueblo Indians. The books intention was to shine new light on the external and interna l struggles of both the Spanish and the Pueblo Indians. The following is a critical review of the facts stated in his book. This is followed up by a review of the book itself. The Native Americans of the New Mexican area before the seventeenth century would face very little outside conflict from foreigners, but by the early 1600’s their freedom would radical change. The Pueblo Indians is a culmination of five major groups: Piro, Hopi, Zuni, Tano, and the Keresan. These groups of people faced challenges everyday living in the conditions that they inhabited, but when the outside force of the Spanish got involved all hell broke lose. The natives faced many power struggles as a nation, both internal and external factors played roles in their every day live style. Disease, famine, and Catholicism all were factors in destroying the Pueblo nation of the southwest. When the Spanish explor... Free Essays on Book Review Of â€Å"The Pueblo Revolt Of 1680† Free Essays on Book Review Of â€Å"The Pueblo Revolt Of 1680† Book Review of â€Å"The Pueblo Revolt of 1680† Discovering the past of North America has been an twisted and dark story of inhumanity and self indulgence. The treatment of others by the European powers has recently been uncovered as a degrading time for the Native Americans. Nobody else in the past five hundred years has faced genocide of this power; albeit, the forces of the Spanish people have created the most horrific stories of domination by one race. To say all the Spanish people were horrible is in fact a nasty thing to say; there were some people under the Spanish crown that wanted fair treatment of the natives. Andrew L. Knaut explores these sides of the Spanish crown during the seventeenth century of their claim to New Mexico. The native peoples of the New Mexican territory would struggle to maintain or gain power back from the Spanish peoples; but the Spanish would find every outlet of exploitation and force new ideas upon these Pueblo Indians. The books intention was to shine new light on the external and interna l struggles of both the Spanish and the Pueblo Indians. The following is a critical review of the facts stated in his book. This is followed up by a review of the book itself. The Native Americans of the New Mexican area before the seventeenth century would face very little outside conflict from foreigners, but by the early 1600’s their freedom would radical change. The Pueblo Indians is a culmination of five major groups: Piro, Hopi, Zuni, Tano, and the Keresan. These groups of people faced challenges everyday living in the conditions that they inhabited, but when the outside force of the Spanish got involved all hell broke lose. The natives faced many power struggles as a nation, both internal and external factors played roles in their every day live style. Disease, famine, and Catholicism all were factors in destroying the Pueblo nation of the southwest. When the Spanish explor...