THE A.RCHAIC H0RIZ4 N 63 



It is probable that the unusually elaborate effigies 

 from western Mexico are somewhat later in date than 

 the comparatively simple figurines of central Mexico. 

 Hut still better examples of local development out of 

 the archaic are to be found in the Isthmian area. Here 

 the most ancient remains (according to types, since 

 actual stratigraphy has not yet been determined) appear 

 to be common in the arid regions and rare in the humid 

 regions. Hut in certain humid regions, such as the 

 Peninsula of Nicoya on the Pacific side of Costa Rica 

 and the Mercedes district on the Atlantic side, are found 

 modified types of clay figurines and stone carvings that 

 still retain many archaic features. Now, there is little 

 doubt that in general these figurines and sculptures be- 

 long to an horizon above that of the truly archaic. The 

 associated decorative art in painting is of a higher type 

 than that of the Archaic Period in the north and shows 

 in fact many points of contact with the painted designs 

 on the vessels of the Mayan civilization. 



Perhaps the most interesting type of figurine (found 

 in both the localities named above, but more common in 

 the west) represents a nude female in a sitting pose. 

 The actual body treatment is very like that of the 

 archaic seated females from Salvador and Mexico, but 

 the surface is painted over with designs in glossy black 

 upon dark and brilliant red. The paints as well as the 

 designs are peculiar and it is possible to group the 

 figurines with vases in which the same pigments and 

 decorations are used. Now, these associated vases are 

 characteristically of the cylindrical shape that was in 

 great vogue among the Mayas in post-archaic times and 

 the designs painted upon these vases also have many 

 features in common with Mayan work. 



Likewise when we pass to the Chiriqui region in 

 western Panama we find the seated female to be com- 



