Mexican archæology

This work surveys the archaeology of pre-Spanish Mexican and Maya civilizations, summarizing tribal histories, religious beliefs and priesthoods, calendars and festivals, systems of writing, medicine, burial, and social organization. It examines material culture including crafts, dress, pottery, mosaics and architectural remains, and discusses war, trade and justice. The author compares Mexican and Maya institutions, offers interpretations of iconography and calendrical systems, and proposes a provisional chronological framework. Illustrated plates and appendices list calendrical names and support the descriptive chapters while pointing to remaining gaps and directions for further research.