The Pursuit of Ruins: Archaeology, History, and the Making of Modern Mexico

by Christina Bueno

Overview

The Pursuit of Ruins argues that the government effort to take control of the ancient remains in Mexico took off in the late nineteenth century during the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826357328
Publisher:	University of New Mexico Press
Publication date:	10/15/2016
Series:	Di logos Series
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Christina Bueno is an associate professor of Latin American history and Latino"Latin American studies at Northeastern Illinois University.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction The Allure of Antiquity 1

Part 1 Ruins and Meaning

Chapter 1 A Day at the Ruins 17

Chapter 2 Ruins and the State 40

Part 2 The Archaeologists

Chapter 3 The Museum Men 59

Chapter 4 El Inspector 72

Part 3 Making Patrimony

Chapter 5 Guarding 91

Chapter 6 Inspecting 113

Chapter 7 Centralizing 165

Chapter 8 Reconstructing 187

Epilogue 209

Notes 215

Bibliography 239

Index 259

Editorial Reviews

The book is beautifully written, never lacking narrative thrust, and always engaging.—Bulletin of Latin American Research

Bueno has given voice to both Leopoldo Batres and the local people who opposed him, and she has admirably contextualized their daily struggles within the greater Porfirian nationalist project—Hispanic American Historical Review

Bueno has given voice to both Leopoldo Batres and the local people who opposed him, and she has admirably contextualized their daily struggles within the greater Porfirian nationalist project—Hispanic American Historical Review

Not only does it bring to light rich archival material, but it also describes, with an enjoyable and fluid narrative, the complex network of actors and practices that constituted Mexican archaeology during this period. . . . This superb and entertaining study adds a nuanced perspective to existing studies of archaeology and nationalism.—New Mexico Historical Review

A fascinating look at the formative years of Mexican archaeology and the Porfirian regime's efforts to bring order and progress to the nation's indigenous patrimony.—Robert M. Buffington, coauthor of Mexico: An Encyclopedia of Contemporary Culture and History

From the Publisher