PREFACE 



THIS lit t It - book is intended as a general commen- 

 tary and explanation of the more important 

 phases of the ancient life and arts of the Indians 

 of Mexico and Central America, and especially of their 

 history. The substance of it is drawn from many 

 sources, for the anthropologist must mould together and 

 harmonize the gross results of several sciences. Archse- 

 ology, ethnology, somatology, and linguistics all make 

 their special contributions and we are only on the 

 threshold of our subject. In the Mexican and Central 

 American field we find the accumulated writings that 

 result from four hundred years of European contact with 

 the Indians and in addition a mass of native documents 

 and monumental inscriptions expressed in several hiero- 

 glyphic systems. 



The general method of this book will be to take up in 

 order the recognized " horizons" of pre-Columbian 

 history, beginning with the earliest of which we have 

 knowledge. In relation to each horizon we will examine 

 the records and discuss the principal developments in 

 arts, beliefs, and social structures. The introductory 

 chapter is designed to put before the reader such facts 

 as may be necessary for a ready understanding of the 

 discussions and explanations that will follow. 



The Mexican Hall of the American Museum of 

 Natural History furnishes illustrations of most of the 

 facts given herewith. This Ball contains both originals 

 and casts brought together by various expedition.- of 

 the Museum and of other scientific institutions. The 

 principal patrons of science whose names should be 

 mentioned in connection with the upbuilding of these 

 collection- are: Willard Brown, Austin Corbin, R. P. 

 Doremus, Anson W. Wind, Archer M. Huntington, 



