About Kristen Jancuk
Kristen is an editor specializing in Latin & South American History. She received her MA in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies from George Washington University, and a BA in Spanish and International Relations from Bucknell University. After receiving her MA, Kristen began working on international drug policy for the Organization of American States. One of her greatest and most impractical ambitions is to learn Quechua.
Education
MA Latin American & Hemispheric Studies
George Washington University
BA Spanish and International Relations
Bucknell University
Areas of Expertise
About Kristen Jancuk
Kristen is an editor specializing in Latin & South American History. She received her MA in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies from George Washington University, and a BA in Spanish and International Relations from Bucknell University. After receiving her MA, Kristen began working on international drug policy for the Organization of American States. One of her greatest and most impractical ambitions is to learn Quechua.
Education
MA Latin American & Hemispheric Studies
George Washington University
BA Spanish and International Relations
Bucknell University
Areas of Expertise
How Ancient American Economies Rejected Gold and Ran on Beans
Gold was all over the Americas, but it was not used as money. Instead the Inca, Maya, and Aztec economies ran on commodities like beans and salt.
The Divine Llama and Five Other Unconventional Gods of the Andes
Goddess of potatoes? Meet six unique gods and goddesses worshipped in the Inca empire, responsible for everything from llamas to bird poop.
Surprising True Stories from the Life and Death of Aztec Emperor Montezuma
History has gotten little right about Montezuma—not even his name. But even today, it remains difficult to separate fact from fiction.
The Ancient Rites That Survived the Spanish Conquest
Spanish friars sought to crush Indigenous religion after 1519, yet Aztec, Inca, and Maya rituals survived by hiding inside Catholic holidays.
The 10 Largest Native American Tribes in the United States Today
Over 7 million people in the United States today claim Indigenous heritage, with the 10 largest tribes accounting for approximately 3 million.
The Tattooed Queen Dama de Cao Who Changed the History of Ancient Peru
The 2006 discovery of the heavily tattooed mummy of a female leader upended historians’ understanding of the pre-Inca Moche civilization.
10 Everyday English Words With Surprising Native American Roots
English has plundered words from languages around the globe, and the Americas are no exception. Check out ten common “English” words that aren’t actually English at all.
Who Killed Óscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador?
St. Óscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, was murdered in 1980. Only one man has ever been held accountable.
6 Must-See Marvels of Inca Architecture
Beyond Machu Picchu lie forgotten cities. These marvels of Inca architecture have baffled experts for centuries.
The Unbelievable Life of Isabel Moctezuma, the Last Aztec Princess
The complicated life of Tecuichpo Ixcaxochitl, later baptized Isabel, Moctezuma’s favorite daughter, who went on to adapt to life under Spanish rule.
5 Lesser-Known Conquistadors Who Shaped the New World
Though not as well-known as some of their compatriots, these five Spanish conquistadors helped shape the Spanish Empire.
The True Story of the Inca’s Last Stand in the Little-Known Jungle Capital of Vilcabamba
Far from being crushed in a single blow, the Inca rebelled against their Spanish colonizers for decades from their jungle capital, Vilcabamba.