The Aztecs

Young fans of Channel 4's Time Team will recognise many of the archaeological techniques - from fieldwalking to geophysics - that are shown here. Chrisp's addition to the 'History Beneath Your Feet' series is particularly successful at integrating information about how we find out about the past, whether it is digging or deciphering Aztec carvings and codices, with a description of the civilisation that is uncovered. The subject lends itself to this approach. The Aztec empire flourished for a short time and within a narrow area compared with the other civilisations in this series: the Greeks, Egyptians and Romans. So it is possible to gain a good impression of it from the excavation of one or two sites, principally of Tenochtitlan, which is buried beneath Mexico City. It makes fascinating reading, and not only for 8-11 year olds. The glossary and index could be better, but the further information page and the pronunciation guide are excellent: particularly the recommended websites. The three 'projects' are facile and should have been left out. Once children have read about human sacrifice and pored over a gruesome Aztec painting showing hearts ripped out, they are unlikely to think that a model of the Great temple made of card and glue is adequate, even if they are encouraged to 'put some red paint on the steps, to look like blood-stains'.