4 - Rhythms of change in Postclassic central Mexico: archaeology, ethnohistory, and the Braudelian model

Summary

This paper applies insights from the work of Fernand Braudel to the problem of correlating archaeology and native history in Postclassic central Mexico. Two aspects of Braudel's model of hierarchical temporal rhythms are emphasized. First, Braudel's theoretical construct provides a useful framework for conceptualizing past time and processes of change in complex societies. Second, his empirical findings on the diverse types of socioeconomic change and their rhythms contribute to the dialectical interaction between changing research questions and chronological refinement. These points are illustrated through an examination of archaeological and native historical data on processes of socioeconomic change in Postclassic central Mexico. Greater attention to temporal rhythms and chronological issues leads to more successful archaeological/historical correlation in central Mexico and thereby helps advance our understanding of processes of change.

Introduction

The Postclassic epoch in highland central Mexico was a time of major social, economic, and political change. Large cities and territorial empires rose and fell, significant demographic changes took place including mass migrations and rapid population increase, the city-state emerged as the dominant political form, and warfare, trade, and alliances became significant forms of interaction between polities. These developments are reflected not only in the archaeological record, but also in native historical chronicles preserved by the Nahuatl dynasties of the Late Postclassic city-states.