Aztecan

She holds with horror and at the same time with admiration this unfinished being in her hand that looks like a very old, nearly Aztecan object.

Thus the Catholic religion was grafted onto local ancient cultures--Mayan, Aztecan, Incan, etc.--less than 500 years ago, and had little to do with "conversion to the faith." In fact, the local populations retained most of their ancient beliefs, customs and practices, but so long as they worked in support of the missions, they were Catholics.

Millions of people still speak Aztecan, Maya-Quiche, Quechua, Guarani, Mapuche, and Chibcha, described as the lenguas 'mayores' or 'generales'.

Among the staples of Aztecan cuisine were amaranth, beans, squash, tomatoes, fruits like the avocado and guava, wild turkeys, Muscovy duck, and various other game.

I was reminded of the ancient story of Aztlan, told by the Aztecs but known in other Uto- Aztecan communities as well.

The spot has been identified as the site where once stood a temple to the Aztecan goddess Tonantzin.