De Teotihuacan a Tenochtitlan. Dos trayectorias de cambio social

Michael E Smith

doi:10.5209/reaa.61981

Abstract

I review quantitative data for several major social and economic changes in central Mexico from the Classic Period through the Late Postclassic Period. Two kinds of trajectories through time can be identified. First, population and urbanization exhibited U-shaped curves of change: High values for Teotihuacan in the Classic, then lower values during the Epiclassic and Early Postclassic periods, followed by high values again in the Late Postclassic (Aztec) Period. On the other hand, economic measures (trade and commercialization) increased over this interval, while measures of well-being or standard of living declined. This is a preliminary study that points to the importance of quantitative archaeological data for research on the changes that took place in ancient Mesoamerica.

Highlights

I review the evidence for social changes in central Mexico, starting with the Classic-period city of Teotihuacan and ending with the Spanish conquest
I turn to a series of social processes whose trajectory from Teotihuacan to Tenochtitlan was different from the U-shaped paths discussed above
If one were to count the number of foreign elements, or perhaps the number of works that contain foreign elements, the totals for Tenochtitlan would be much higher than the three earlier cities

Summary

Introduction

The eight centuries between the fall of Teotihuacan and the founding of Tenochtitlan witnessed profound social changes throughout central Mexico. I describe the major types of social change, and I organize them under two divergent kinds of trajectory or path. Some processes followed a U-shaped path, declining after the fall of Teotihuacan and rising again with the growth of Tenochtitlan. Other processes witnessed a more continuous process growth over these same centuries. This path was followed by social inequality, commercial exchange and the intensity of international interaction. I review the evidence for social changes in central Mexico, starting with the Classic-period city of Teotihuacan and ending with the Spanish conquest

Outline of Historical Changes

The continuous growth trajectory of commerce and social inequality

Findings

Conclusions