Identities, Experience, and Change in Early Mexican Villages

Newperspectives on an important era in Mesoamerican historyThis volume examines shifting social identities,lived experiences, and networks of interaction in Mexico during theMesoamerican Formative period (2000 BCE–250 CE), an era that helped producesome of the world’s most renowned complex civilizations. The chapters offersignificant data, innovative methodologies, and novel perspectives on Mexicanarchaeology.Usingdiverse and non-traditional theoretical approaches, contributors discuss interregionalrelationships and the exchange of ideas in contexts ranging from the Gulf CoastOlmec region to the site of Tlatilco in Central Mexico to the often-overlookedcultures of the far western states. Their essays explore identity formation,cosmological perspectives, the first hints of social complexity, theunderpinnings of Formative period economies, and the sensorial implications ofsociocultural change.Identities,Experience, and Change in Early Mexican Villages is one of the firstvolumes to address the entirety of this rich and complex era and region,offering a new and holistic view.Through a wealth of exciting interpretations from international seniorand emerging scholars, this volume shows the strong influence of culturalexchange as well as the compelling individuality of local and regional contextsover two thousand years of history.