Anahuac; or, Mexico and the Mexicans Ancient and Modern

work by Tylor

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June 18, 2026

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Anahuac; or, Mexico and the Mexicans Ancient and Modern is a travelogue by Sir Edward Burnett Tylor, published in 1861. It details his experiences in Mexico, focusing on the region known as Anahuac, the historical heartland of Aztec Mexico. The book explores the ancient Toltec culture and the landscape of the Mesa Central, which was characterized by five interlocking lakes, including Lake Texcoco, where the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan (modern Mexico City) was situated. Tylor's work, while a travelogue, also contains elements that foreshadow his later anthropological contributions, such as a keen observation of cultural differences and empirical data collection.12

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Sir Edward Burnett Tylor
Early life and travels
…expedition in his first book, Anahuac; or, Mexico and the Mexicans Ancient and Modern (1861). Although mainly a well-conceived travelogue, Anahuac contains elements that characterize Tylor’s later work when he had become a full–fledged anthropologist: a firm grasp on factual data, a sense of cultural differences, and a curious combination…
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…expedition in his first book, Anahuac; or, Mexico and the Mexicans Ancient and Modern (1861). Although mainly a well-conceived travelogue, Anahuac contains elements that characterize Tylor’s later work when he had become a full–fledged anthropologist: a firm grasp on factual data, a sense of cultural differences, and a curious combination…
Read More