A group of American high school friends discover an Aztec death whistle and, for reasons best known to them, give it a blow at a party.
Articles on Aztecs
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The Aztec empire succumbed to its own imperial arrogance, alienating neighbours who ultimately helped bring about its downfall.
The new series attempts to chart the fall of four major empires but doesn’t always get it right.
If Canada allows inequality to rise unchecked, it risks ending up where hundreds or ancient societies have: plagued by widespread unrest, violence and even complete collapse.
Archaeology teaches us that we are not immune to extinction.
This whirlwind tour of social history describes how infectious diseases have shaped humanity at every stage. It suggests reducing inequality will give us our best chance of surviving future plagues.
Day of the Dead rituals help people connect with their ancestors, which the Aztecs believed was key to well-being.
Cocoa may not be the panacea it was once believed to be, but it’s more than just a guilty pleasure.
The Aztecs had a shining city on a lake, with canals, causeways and aqueducts – until the Spanish came. Mexico City is still suffering the consequences of their bad public health decisions.
Everything you ever wanted to know about the big G.
It may sound like a solemn affair, but the Day of the Dead – which blends indigenous and Catholic ritual – is a convivial celebration that allows Mexicans to reconnect with deceased loved ones.
Hernán Cortés owed his conquest of the Aztecs to his expedition’s unknown, unseen secret weapon: the smallpox virus. Disease epidemics can set the course of human history.
For indigenous peoples, winter solstice has been a time to honor their ancient sun deity. Their rituals reveal a deep understanding of the natural world.
Top contributors
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Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry and Forensics, Nottingham Trent University
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Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Gettysburg College
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Associate Professor of Philosophy, State University of New York Cortland
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Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Nutrition - Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff Metropolitan University
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Associate Professor of Social Work, University of Memphis
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Professor of History, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Adelaide University
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Senior Lecturer in Film History in the School of Society and Environment, Queen Mary University of London
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Senior Researcher, Historian and Complexity Scientist, University of Toronto
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Lars Laamann is a Friend of The Conversation.
Lecturer on the History of China, SOAS, University of London
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Lecturer in Roman and Late Antique Material Culture, University of Reading
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Chancellor's Professor of Medicine, Liberal Arts, and Philanthropy, Indiana University
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Lecturer, Classics, University of Glasgow