In so far as the history of maize has any bearing upon 
the problems of the pre-Columbian American cultures, it 
is evident that the anthropologist is faced with two clear- 
cut alternatives. Either the region in western Guatemala 
is the center of origin of all maize, of maize agriculture 
and the prehistoric cultures based upon maize agricul- 
ture; or it is no more than a secondary center from which 
maize varieties, originally introduced from South Amer- 
ica and subsequently modified by admixture with ‘Trip- 
sacum, have spread. 
Many anthropologists may continue to prefer the first 
alternative but some have seen the possibilities in the 
second. Both Kidder (10) and Lowie (17), in discussing 
the complete lack of evidence on cultures antecedent to 
the already well-developed ‘‘Archaic’” in Middle Amer- 
ica, have pointed to the inadequacy (from the anthropo- 
logical standpoint) of the commonly accepted view that 
maize is derived from teosinte. Kidder’s statements in 
this connection are of particular interest, because his sug- 
gestions (made before the hypothesis of Mangelsdorf and 
Reeves was published) anticipate several of their conclu- 
sions, as is demonstrated by the excerpts which follow: 
“*In the above guesses as to the time and location of basic New 
World culture first consideration has been given to the Middle Amer- 
ican highlands: because agriculture seems to be a prerequisite neces- 
sity for the development of such a culture ; because maize was the New 
World staple; and because teocentli currently believed to have played 
a part in the origin of maize, is apparently only to be found in those 
regions. ... 
The supposed role of Middle American teocentli in the ancestry of 
maize may, however, have confused us. Other possibilities must be 
considered, Teocent/i may not have fathered maize; it may yet be found 
in South America. Some other plant ancestor, as yet undiscovered, 
perhaps even extinct as result of maize culture in the lands favorable 
to its growth, may exist or have existed in South America... . 
If maize should prove to derive from South America the whole setup 
would in some respects be more comprehensible. ’’ 
[ 245 | 
