peripheral and transitional markets: the Aztec case 1

Only recently has ethnohistorical data been interpreted in terms of sociocultural theory. This methodology has promise because some ethnohistorical data, such as the writings which depict preconquest Aztec society, reveal the cultures of societies in a more “pristine” state, uncontaminated by contact with Western societies. The urban market economy of the preconquest Aztecs is analyzed with reference to a model derived from market economies in contemporary West Africa. It is demonstrated that Aztec urban markets are transitional between “peripheral” and modern market economies. The transitional process is examined, an explanation for it is offered, and the working model is reinterpreted.