The Aztec's culture was largely intact at the time of Spanish contact, and many Aztec codices and other written records survived the conquest. This has given scholars a much richer source of information about the Aztecs than about other Mesoamerican cultures that had largely disappeared by the time Europeans arrived.
Spanish accounts.
The Spanish conquistadors and missionaries who arrived in Mexico in the 16th century wrote extensive accounts of Aztec society, culture, and history. These accounts provide a valuable source of information about the Aztecs, although they are often biased and ethnocentric.
Archaeological evidence.
Archaeological excavations have uncovered a wealth of information about Aztec cities, temples, and other structures. This evidence has helped scholars to reconstruct the history of Aztec civilization and to understand how the Aztecs lived.
In comparison.
In contrast, the Olmecs and Maya civilizations had largely declined by the time of Spanish contact.
- This means that there are fewer written records and Spanish accounts about these cultures.
- In addition, the Olmecs and Maya inhabited jungle regions that were difficult to explore, which has made archaeological excavations more challenging.
As a result, we know less about the Olmecs and Mayas than we do about the Aztecs.