RESEARCH AT THE RUINS OF CHICKEN ITZA, YUCATAN. 71 



PRESENT NEEDS OF THE MAYA FIELD. 



From the preceding section it is clear that by far the greater part of the 

 archaeological work hitherto conducted in the Maya field has been of a pre- 

 liminary nature. The work of most of the expeditions mentioned has been 

 exploratory in character, and few of them have undertaken an intensive 

 study of particular problems. Useful as this exploratory work has been in 

 establishing the boundaries of the Maya civilization and in ascertaining its 

 more obvious features, such as the number, size, and distribution of its differ- 

 ent centers, the character of its art and architecture, the nature of its hiero- 

 glyphic writing, etc., the time has now come for a more detailed study of these 

 problems — for research rather than reconnaissance. 



Maya archseology has passed through its preliminary stages. It is 

 now generally conceded, by those most competent to judge, that in the 

 future the greatest contributions to the science will come from the intensive 

 study of representative sites. Such study necessarily involves the vigorous 

 and continued prosecution of archaeological work at some important site 

 for a number of years. So large and complex are these ancient Maj-a cities 

 that the problems they present can be solved only by an expedition operating 

 over a considerable period. 



The project contemplates the conduct of archaeological research at one of 

 the largest centers of the Maya civilization, and the intensive study for a 

 number of years of the site chosen. After the work has been thoroughly 

 organized and has proceeded to the point of producing noteworthy results 

 (perhaps a matter of several years), its scope should be gradually extended to 

 cover the surrounding region through subordinate expeditions emanating 

 from the original base of operation. This extension of the research is sug- 

 gested simply to indicate the magnitude of the problem awaiting investigation 

 in any special archaeological province of the Maya culture area. These 

 problems are not so large as to be incapable of definite solution within a 

 reasonable period of time, but yet extensive enough to engage the energies 

 of a fairly large expedition for at least a score of years. 



In selecting a site for the concentration of such research, there are sev- 

 eral general qualifications which the place chosen should possess, namely: 



1. It should be large enough and of sufficient importance to offer material 



for study for at least twenty years. 



2. It should be the center or metropolis of the surrounding region. 



3. Its archaeological significance should be such as to justify intensive 



investigation. 



4. It should be as healthful and at the same time as accessible as possible. 



On these last two factors very largely depends the efficiency of anj^ scien- 

 tific expedition operating in the tropics. The site which combines the greatest 

 number of these factors is therefore the one at which extended research can 

 be carried on most advantageously. 



