Crossword Genius

Old Mexican Indian, a variable investigator (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aztec

'old mexican indian' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a variable investigator' is the wordplay.
'variable' becomes 'z' (algebra).
'investigator' becomes 'tec' (short for 'detective').
'a'+'z'+'tec'='AZTEC'

(Other definitions for aztec that I've seen before include "Historical S. American" , "Early Mexican civilisation" , "One of Montezuma's people" , "Pre-conquest Mexican Indian" , "Native of old Mexico" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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