The Expansion of the Aztec Empire: A Case Study in the Correlation of Diachronic Archaeological and Ethnohistorical Data

Abstract

I examine the problems and potentials of correlating diachronic archaeological and ethnohistorical data through the case of the Aztec (Triple Alliance) conquest of western Morelos, Mexico. To date, nearly all of our knowledge of the Triple Alliance empire is derived from ethnohistorical sources with little contribution from archaeological data. Two methodological problems account for this disparity. First, current archaeological chronologies for Postclassic central Mexico are not precise enough to document the structure and growth of this relatively short-lived empire. Second, the issue of diachronic correlation of archaeological data with the native historical record has not been approached with a consistent methodology. I address these problems, demonstrating that Postclassic chronologies can be refined when the appropriate methods (in this case, nontypological ceramic analysis and quantitative seriation) are applied. The resulting chronological sequence for western Morelos is correlated with the diachronic native historical record for the area. Because of these procedures, the archaeological record can for the first time make a significant contribution to the study of the Triple Alliance empire.

Using in‐field phosphate testing to rapidly identify middens at Piedras Negras, Guatemala

“…Soil phosphate testing in the Maya region is particularly promising given the highly calcareous nature of the soils derived from the karst topography of the region, because calcium serves to fix phosphate compounds in the soil for long periods. Theoretically, high relative phosphate concentrations in close association with architectural features should indicate high probability of residential middens, which are important for developing a site or a regional ceramic chronology (Gifford, 1976;Smith, 1987b). The results of this study will help determine the efficacy of this in-field soil phosphate test to prospect for residential middens using ceramic density and artifact assemblage as indicators.…”

Aztec provincial administration at Cuetlaxtlan, Veracruz

“…Only a spotty record of Aztec-style remains is known from outer provinces , which lends some weight to Hassig's model of indirect rule, as it appears to reXect a lack of imperial material investments in provincial areas (Smith and Berdan, 1992). However, this record also reXects, in part, the scant research at provincial sites (see Smith, 1987Silverstein, 2001 for Guerrero;Gorenstein, 1973 for the Mixteca-Puebla; Curet et al, 1994;Ohnersorgen, 2001;Stark, 1990 for south-central Veracruz; Voorhies [ed. ] 1989 for the Soconusco).…”

“…Considerable economic reorganization might also be evident, including increased specialization as trade expands, or as tribute is imposed, or both. A decrease in provincial household standards of living might be observed as households are taxed by tribute (Smith, 1987).…”

New world complex societies: Recent economic, social, and political studies

“…Apart from my own work (Smith, 1987a(Smith, , 1992aSmith and Berdan, 1992;Smith and Heath-Smith, 1993), there are only a few archaeological studies of the expansion, impact, or provincial organization of the Aztec empire (e.g., Plunket and Urufiuela, 1993;Sisson, 1989;Stark, 1990). In contrast, there is a large body of recent ethnohistoric work on the empire (e.g., Berdan et al, 1993;Carrasco, 1991;Davies, 1987;Gasco and Voorhies, 1989;Hassig, 1988;Hicks, 1992;Hodge, 1991).…”