Date of Award

Spring 5-16-2025

Degree Type

Honors Thesis

Major

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

International Studies

First Advisor

Brian Dowd-Uribe

Second Advisor

Nora Fisher-Onar

Abstract

The integration of religion and agriculture was a cornerstone of Aztec civilization, deeply influencing societal practices and knowledge systems. Scholars have long recognized the importance of religious rituals in ensuring agricultural success; however, the specific methods by which agricultural knowledge was transmitted within religious contexts—and how these methods may have contributed to knowledge gaps—remain underexplored. This thesis investigates the relationship between Aztec religious practices and the transmission of agricultural knowledge, focusing on how the methods of knowledge transmission influenced agricultural expertise and led to potential gaps. It does so by analyzing primary sources such as the Florentine Codex and the Mendoza Codex, examining archaeological findings, and reviewing the works of leading scholars in Mesoamerican studies. By exploring the channels through which agricultural knowledge was conveyed—oral traditions, religious rituals, and educational institutions—and assessing their effectiveness and vulnerabilities, this study reveals that the intertwining of religion and agriculture in knowledge transmission both reinforced cultural identity and inadvertently created susceptibilities to knowledge loss. The findings suggest that reliance on specialized religious intermediaries and esoteric practices contributed to a break in the knowledge linkage, particularly under the impact of the Spanish conquest. This research enhances our understanding of the complexities within Aztec knowledge systems and underscores the critical importance of resilient methods of knowledge transmission in preserving cultural and agricultural practices.

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