Ross Hassig
Encyclopedia
Ross Hassig is an American
historical anthropologist specializing in Mesoamerica
n studies, particularly the Aztec
culture. His focus is often on the description of practical infrastructure in Mesoamerican societies. He is the author of several influential books, among them: Time, History, and Belief in Aztec and Colonial Mexico; Aztec Warfare: Imperial Expansion and Political Control; and Trade, Tribute, and Transportation: The Sixteenth-Century Political Economy of the Valley of Mexico.
Hassig began his academic career as an undergraduate at Vanderbilt University
, where his studies initially focussed on non-Western legal systems. He soon developed an interest in anthropology, later obtaining in 1974 his Master's degree
from Vanderbilt in Law and Anthropology, with a thesis on political development among the Puebloan peoples at Acoma Pueblo
. He then went on further his graduate studies at Stanford University
, obtaining his Ph.D from the Department of Anthropology there in 1980.
During his time at Stanford, Hassig's research agenda shifted to focus on the cultures of Mesoamerica
, where he investigated the economic and political foundations of pre- and post-conquest societies. Among the first of his studies was directed towards the underpinnings of the pre-Columbian
Tarascan state
.
For 1989–90 he was a scholar-in-residence of Pre-Columbian Studies at Dumbarton Oaks
Research Library and Collection, with a research project entitled "Warfare and the Mesoamerican Past".
In 1997–98 Hassig spent a year as Resident Scholar under the Weatherhead Fellowship program at the School for American Research in Santa Fe, New Mexico
, with a primary focus on researching the Aztec calendar
.
In the 1999 UK
academic year, Hassig was not awarded of the two residential Visiting Fellowships offered annually by the Sainsbury Research Unit
at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts
, University of East Anglia
, Norwich
, towards the study of 'Aztec thought and culture'.
Hassig held a chair as Professor of Anthropology at the University of Oklahoma
, until 2003 when he relocated to Tucson, Arizona
. Since leaving OU Hassig has remained an independent scholar
and author, continuing his research into Mesoamerican cultures and state societies.
authored books— |location=Norman |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press
|pages=xvi, 364 pp.|isbn=0-8061-1911-X |oclc=11469622}} |location=Norman |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press
|pages=xx, 404 pp.|isbn=0-8061-2121-1 |oclc=17106411}}
edited books— |pages=286 pp.|location=Nashville, TN |publisher=Vanderbilt University
|isbn=0-935462-21-X |oclc=11047747}}
contributed chapters—
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
historical anthropologist specializing in Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica is a region and culture area in the Americas, extending approximately from central Mexico to Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, within which a number of pre-Columbian societies flourished before the Spanish colonization of the Americas in the 15th and...
n studies, particularly the Aztec
Aztec
The Aztec people were certain ethnic groups of central Mexico, particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and who dominated large parts of Mesoamerica in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, a period referred to as the late post-classic period in Mesoamerican chronology.Aztec is the...
culture. His focus is often on the description of practical infrastructure in Mesoamerican societies. He is the author of several influential books, among them: Time, History, and Belief in Aztec and Colonial Mexico; Aztec Warfare: Imperial Expansion and Political Control; and Trade, Tribute, and Transportation: The Sixteenth-Century Political Economy of the Valley of Mexico.
Hassig began his academic career as an undergraduate at Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
, where his studies initially focussed on non-Western legal systems. He soon developed an interest in anthropology, later obtaining in 1974 his Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
from Vanderbilt in Law and Anthropology, with a thesis on political development among the Puebloan peoples at Acoma Pueblo
Acoma Pueblo
Acoma Pueblo is a Native American pueblo approximately 60 miles west of Albuquerque, New Mexico in the United States. Three reservations make up Acoma Pueblo: Sky City , Acomita, and McCartys. The Acoma Pueblo tribe is a federally recognized tribal entity...
. He then went on further his graduate studies at Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, obtaining his Ph.D from the Department of Anthropology there in 1980.
During his time at Stanford, Hassig's research agenda shifted to focus on the cultures of Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica is a region and culture area in the Americas, extending approximately from central Mexico to Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, within which a number of pre-Columbian societies flourished before the Spanish colonization of the Americas in the 15th and...
, where he investigated the economic and political foundations of pre- and post-conquest societies. Among the first of his studies was directed towards the underpinnings of the pre-Columbian
Pre-Columbian
The pre-Columbian era incorporates all period subdivisions in the history and prehistory of the Americas before the appearance of significant European influences on the American continents, spanning the time of the original settlement in the Upper Paleolithic period to European colonization during...
Tarascan state
Tarascan state
The Tarascan state was a state in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, roughly covering the geographic area of the present-day Mexican state of Michoacán. At the time of the Spanish conquest of Mexico it was the second-largest state in Mexico. The state was founded in the early 14th century and lost its...
.
For 1989–90 he was a scholar-in-residence of Pre-Columbian Studies at Dumbarton Oaks
Dumbarton Oaks
Dumbarton Oaks is the conventional name for the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, situated on a historic property in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The institution is administered by the Trustees for Harvard University. Its founders, Robert Woods Bliss and his wife...
Research Library and Collection, with a research project entitled "Warfare and the Mesoamerican Past".
In 1997–98 Hassig spent a year as Resident Scholar under the Weatherhead Fellowship program at the School for American Research in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
, with a primary focus on researching the Aztec calendar
Aztec calendar
The Aztec calendar is the calendar system that was used by the Aztecs as well as other Pre-Columbian peoples of central Mexico. It is one of the Mesoamerican calendars, sharing the basic structure of calendars from throughout ancient Mesoamerica....
.
In the 1999 UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
academic year, Hassig was not awarded of the two residential Visiting Fellowships offered annually by the Sainsbury Research Unit
Sainsbury Research Unit
The Sainsbury Research Unit is a research department at the University of East Anglia, in the UK.-History:The Sainsbury Research Unit had its origins in 1984, when Sir Robert Sainsbury and Lady Lisa Sainsbury had the idea of creating a department in the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts to be an...
at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts
The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts is an art gallery and museum located on the campus of the University of East Anglia, Norwich in the United Kingdom...
, University of East Anglia
University of East Anglia
The University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...
, Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, towards the study of 'Aztec thought and culture'.
Hassig held a chair as Professor of Anthropology at the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
, until 2003 when he relocated to Tucson, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
. Since leaving OU Hassig has remained an independent scholar
Independent scholar
An independent scholar is anyone who conducts scholarly research outside universities and traditional academia. Independent scholars play an especially important role in areas such as art history and other humanities fields...
and author, continuing his research into Mesoamerican cultures and state societies.
Published works
Hassig's published works include:authored books— |location=Norman |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press
University of Oklahoma Press
The University of Oklahoma Press is the publishing arm of the University of Oklahoma. It has been in operation for over seventy-five years, and was the first university press established in the American Southwest. It was founded by William Bennett Bizzell, the fifth president of the University of...
|pages=xvi, 364 pp.|isbn=0-8061-1911-X |oclc=11469622}} |location=Norman |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press
University of Oklahoma Press
The University of Oklahoma Press is the publishing arm of the University of Oklahoma. It has been in operation for over seventy-five years, and was the first university press established in the American Southwest. It was founded by William Bennett Bizzell, the fifth president of the University of...
|pages=xx, 404 pp.|isbn=0-8061-2121-1 |oclc=17106411}}
edited books— |pages=286 pp.|location=Nashville, TN |publisher=Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
|isbn=0-935462-21-X |oclc=11047747}}
contributed chapters—