An Archaeology of Milpa Cultures

An Archaeology of Milpa Cultures, Volume 1, explores the enduring farming traditions of Tlaxcala, Mexico. Author Keitlyn Alcántara examines how the Tlaxcalteca utilized the milpa, a maize-based agricultural system, to resist imperial domination and survive centuries of upheaval. This work of archaeology and history details the use of terrace farming, household gardens, and the stewardship of wetlands to maintain community stability.

Blending anthropology and social science, the text analyzes how ancient strategies of interdependence support contemporary campesino food sovereignty movements. Through bioarchaeological dietary isotope studies and ethnographic research, the book illustrates the role of Indigenous worldviews in creating climate resilience. This study of Latin America and Mexico demonstrates how a philosophy of interconnection provides a framework for community resistance against industrial pollution and monocropped landscapes.