Alyssa is currently finishing a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and History at the University of California, Riverside. She has an interest in anything human, especially religion, food, and historical fashion. In her free time, she interns at a local museum where she hopes to gain experience for a career in public history. She hopes to inspire an interest in history and culture in future generations through education.
Areas of Expertise
Magic and Sorcery in Colonial Latin America
In colonial Latin America, Catholicism, African spiritual practices, and Indigenous beliefs blended together to create a variety of new “magical” practices, some of which remain to this day.
How the Toltecs Influenced Mesoamerican History
The Toltecs, a Mesoamerican civilization that came into being not long before the Aztecs, greatly influenced both the Aztec empire and the culture of Mesoamerica.
Where Are Montezuma’s Aztec Descendants Now?
When Montezuma II was killed, he left behind not just a powerful empire, but a multitude of heirs. Amazingly, his bloodline survives to this day.
How Early Peoples of Latin America Interacted With Megafauna
Latin America’s earliest peoples found themselves surrounded by dangerous megafauna. Frequently interacting with these animals, they may have even had a hand in their extinction.