[Aztlan] race and ethnicity in the past

[D. Mylne]

When an ancient people saw another ancient people, they saw a group that was different in multiple ways - race, nation, language, diet, political organization, administrative procedure, military form and style, art and architecture; religious, philosophical, teleological perspective.  
 
If that is the case, then it is the overall supraethnic culture that ancient peoples would identify as significant, rather than race or language or religion alone.
So, I agree that it is their achievements that deserve our respect.  Yet all factors, including race and ethnicity do deserve our attention.  Each is part and parcel of the whole.
 
> Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2009 11:26:31 -0700> From: Michael.E.Smith.2 at asu.edu> To: aztlan at lists.famsi.org> Subject: [Aztlan] race and ethnicity in the past> > I always find it puzzling why people get so worked up about racial and> ethnic origins and affiliations in the past. Is this what is most> important about past peoples? My perspective has always been that it is> the achievements of ancient peoples-their actions and the consequences> of their actions-that deserves our attention and respect. 
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