Fernando de Alva Ixtlilxochitl and the Mexican Archive

Fernando de Alva Ixtlilxochitl's 'native archive'—a collection of alphabetic and pictographic texts compiled to preserve pre-Hispanic knowledge under European domination—challenges traditional narratives of colonial scholarship in New Spain. This archive, later inherited by Carlos de Sigüenza y Góngora and dispersed globally, served as a foundational resource for Creole patriots writing the history of New Spain. Amber Brian's work highlights its collaborative origins and multiethnic influence, while other studies contextualize its role in shaping Creole identity and Mexican nationalism. The archive's significance lies in its dual purpose: preserving Indigenous heritage while contributing to colonial intellectual discourse.

Dyck, J. (2017). Fernando de Alva Ixtlilxochitl and the Mexican Archive. Journal of Colonialism and Colonial History, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1353/cch.2017.0004