Definition: Nahuatl is the language of the ancient Mexican people, the Aztecs, and is still spoken in areas of Mexico. Many of the place names of Mexico are based on Nahuatl terms, including Mexico, and some very useful words made it into Spanish and English, such as chocolate and tomato, which both originated in Mexico.
The written form of Nahuatl is found in codexes, written documents from the 15th century.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Any mistakes are the responsibility of Kris Hirst.
The written form of Nahuatl is found in codexes, written documents from the 15th century.
Source
Sousa, Lisa and Kevin Terraciano 2003 The 'original conquest' of Oaxaca: Nahua and Mextec accounts of the Spanish conquest. Ethnohistory 50(2):349-400.This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Any mistakes are the responsibility of Kris Hirst.
Pronunciation: nah-WAH-tul (swallow the 'l' sound)
Also Known As: ancient Aztec
Examples: Some cities with Aztec place names include Toluca, Cholula, Mazatlan, Jalisco, Michoacan, Cuernavaca, Acapulco. My favorite place names from Aztec are from the volcanoes near Mexico City, Iztaccihuatl (sleeping woman) and Popocatepetl (smoking hill).
