Fray Bernardino de Sahagún

Fray Bernardino de Sahagún was a Spanish Franciscan friar and scholar in the 16th century who is best known for his extensive work documenting Aztec culture, language, and history. He learned Nahuatl, the Aztec language, and compiled detailed descriptions of their society, religion, and traditions, combining firsthand accounts with his own observations. His most famous work, the "Florentine Codex," is a comprehensive ethnographic record that provides valuable insight into pre-Columbian Mexico. Sahagún’s efforts greatly advanced understanding of indigenous cultures during the early colonial period, making him one of the earliest and most influential anthropologists in the Americas.