Most of the Book of Mormon focuses on the Nephites in their cities. For a brief time, from Zeniff to the return of the sons of Mosiah, the Book of Mormon describes Lamanite lands and cultures. Because Nephite culture died out and Lamanite culture continued after the end of the Book of Mormon, it isn't surprising that we see more of Mesoamerican culture during the time Mormon's history concentrates on Lamanite lands.
Brant A. Gardner (M.A. State University of New York Albany) is the author of Second Witness: Analytical and Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon, and Traditions of the Fathers: The Book of Mormon as History, all published through Greg Kofford Books.
He has contributed articles to Estudios de Cultura Nahuatl and Symbol and Meaning Beyond the Closed Community. He has presented papers at the FairMormon conference, Sunstone, and conferences of the Book of Mormon Archaeological Forum.