John Pohl, Fowler Museum, University of California at Los Angeles
Abstract: The Plumed Serpent alludes to the ancient Mexican culture hero Quetzalcoatl, a man-god who was credited allegorically in legend with founding what archaeologists identify as ancient Mesoamerica’s “Postclassic” period. Extending from C.E. 900 to 1521, the Postclassic was characterized by dramatic changes in social, political, economic and religious organization particularly in the southern Mexican highlands which witnessed the rise of scores of independent royal estates that competed along strategic alliance corridors maintained through noble intermarriages. With decentralization came an emphasis on finely crafted works of portable art in precious metals, gems, polychrome ceramics, textiles and featherwork that moved through bridewealth and dowry among other forms of elite gift exchange. Although archaeologists generally date the end of the Postclassic to the fall of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan on August 13, 1521, the fact is that much of southern Mexico actually thrived during the Early Colonial period as a newly empowered nobility of Eastern Nahuas, Mixtecs and Zapotecs formulated lucrative partnerships with Dominican friars. The talk will examine a broader conception of the Postclassic and Early Colonial periods by proposing that the concept of a "Late Antiquity" dating between 1300-1600 might be more appropriately applied.
