EDINBURG - Wesley Billingslea has always had an interest in indigenous cultures, especially hearing their side of history.

"I've always felt a lot of history we learned in school was not accurate," said Billingslea, a photographer who splits his time living in Mexico City and San Jose, Calif.

So when he had the opportunity in 1999 to document the descendants of the Aztecs, the Mexihcahs, he decided to combine his two interests: studying indigenous cultures and taking pictures.

An exhibit of his work, entitled "Lost Cultures: The Aztecs", was unveiled at the University of Texas-Pan American Monday to start the university's week-long Festival of International Books and Arts.

Billingslea, who spent five years in and around Mexico City photographing and recording the stories of the Mexihcahs, said he wants to educate the public about indigenous societies.

The photographer received a lesson or two as well. Billingslea said he didn't realize that there were so many descendants of the Aztecs left. (He said there were millions.) He also said the Aztecs were much more civilized and advanced than the history books would have one believe.

"There's so much more depth to their culture," he said, citing how women were revered and held high positions and how the Aztecs would negotiate how to battle with other indigenous groups.

The photo exhibit is the eighth the university has hosted since the fall of 2003, according to John Edwards, the university's vice president for enrollment and student services.

The university wants to make the exhibits available for the community and local school systems, Edwards said.

"The major purpose is education," Edwards said.

The exhibit will be on display at the university until June 1. Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information, call (956) 292-7338.

In its fourth year, the festival offers a variety of activities through Saturday. On Tuesday, author and playwright Denise Chavez will deliver the final speech of the 2007-2008 school year for the university's "Distinguished Speaker" series. The Texas Book Festival and the university are bringing children's books authors from around the state to visit elementary schools throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

The festival will culminate Saturday with a community day featuring music from Grupo Duelo and Mariachi Sol de Mexico.

Jennifer L. Berghom covers education and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4462.